Moundir LASSASSI, Valérie BERENGER & Touhami ABDELKHALEK

The FEMISE Policy Brief series MED BRIEF aspires to provide Forward Thinking for the EuroMediterranean region.The briefs contain succinct, policy-oriented analysis of relevant EuroMed issues, presenting the views of FEMISE researchers and collaborators to policy-makers.

The MED BRIEF “Unequal Opportunities in Early Childhood in 6 Southern and Eastern Mediterranean Countries”, is available here (in french).

Summary: 

Early childhood is the most important period for human development. However, countries tend to under-invest in this phase of development, particularly in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Children face unequal opportunities to develop because of the circumstances of their birth. This research analyzes inequalities of opportunity in early childhood development in three southern Mediterranean countries (Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia) as well as in three non-European Eastern European countries (EU) (Bosnia , Serbia and Ukraine). The results show that there is a substantial inequality of opportunity from the beginning of life. Various circumstances influence early inequalities, including household standard of living, mother’s education, and geographical differences.

The list of FEMISE MED BRIEFS is available here.

The policy brief has been produced with the financial assistance of the European Union within the context of the FEMISE program. The contents of this document are the sole responsibility of the authors and can under no circumstances be regarded as reflecting the position of the European Union