Publication: Arab Republic of Egypt - Inequality of Opportunity in Access to Basic Services among Egyptian Children
Date
2012-06
ISSN
Published
2012-06
Author(s)
World Bank
Abstract
Egypt's children and youth,
representing more than one-third of the country´s population
and its future, face several significant challenges, as
shown by higher child poverty rates and unequal access to
basic services. The objective of this report is three-fold:
(i) to analyze the extent of inequality of opportunity among
Egyptian children; (ii) to inform government policy on how
success in life is influenced by factors predetermined at
birth; and (iii) to identify policies and interventions that
may contribute to improving equality of opportunity. The
underlying premise is that ensuring equality of opportunity
entails leveling the playing field in such a way that every
child, regardless of the circumstances of his/her birth,
will have an equal chance to succeed in life. This report
analyzes the extent of provision of equal access to basic
opportunities to all children (including healthcare,
education, clean water and sanitation), and identifies the
main circumstances that affect it and therefore determine
human development outcomes. The analysis in this report
builds on the concepts and ideas developed in the World
Development Report (WDR). The findings are aimed at
supporting debates and discussions, within and outside the
Government of Egypt, on the need to ensure equality of
opportunity, to contribute to the development of policies
and institutions for children and youth, and to provide an
improved sense of hope and social justice for the future and
help build a more equitable society in the post-Mubarak era.
The report is structured as follows: section one presents
the background and motivation for the study; section two
deals with early risk factors and associated health and
education outcomes for children; and section three presents
the estimates of inequality of opportunity among children.
Details about the data sources and various analyses
presented are included in the annexes.
Citation
“World Bank. 2012. Arab Republic of Egypt - Inequality of Opportunity in Access to Basic Services among Egyptian Children. © Washington, DC. http://openknowledge.worldbank.org/entities/publication/953c94e2-5c01-5551-bdd4-867a5bcc0ee8 License: CC BY 3.0 IGO.”