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Inequality of Opportunity and Degree of Human Development: Evidence from Tunisia

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  • Saidi Anis (a) , Hamdaoui Mekki (b) and Ochi Anis (b)

    ((a) University of Sousse, Sousse, Tunisia; (b) University of Tunis El Manar, Tunisia)

Abstract

There are many socio-economic factors beyond the individual control that can affect human development indicators. In this setting, this paper aims to examine the effects and evolution of unequal opportunities on the distribution of human development indicators embodied by monetary well-being (consumption) and education in Tunisia for the period 2005-2010. We used parametric and non-parametric approach in addition to Dissimilarity-Index and Shapley’s Decomposition to identify most important factors explaining inequality of chances in Tunisia. We found that Father’s education, residence area, and connection to drinking water appears to be the most important background variables affecting well-being profile. However, child’s sex appears to be the most important determinant of the accessibility to education. Inequality of opportunity in consumption and education persists and tends to increase over time which is undesirable for the country. As an economic implication of our results, policy makers must make appropriate policies to reduce intergenerational transmission of parental background and sex discrimination and to overcome traps of inequality for future generations

Suggested Citation

  • Saidi Anis (a) , Hamdaoui Mekki (b) and Ochi Anis (b), 2021. "Inequality of Opportunity and Degree of Human Development: Evidence from Tunisia," Journal of Economic Development, Chung-Ang Unviersity, Department of Economics, vol. 46(1), pages 107-137, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:jed:journl:v:46:y:2021:i:1:p:107-137
    DOI: 10.35866/caujed.2021.46.1.005
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Dissimilarity Index; Inequality of Opportunity; Consumption; Tunisia; Public Policy;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D30 - Microeconomics - - Distribution - - - General
    • D63 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - Equity, Justice, Inequality, and Other Normative Criteria and Measurement

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