Inequality of Opportunity and Early Childhood Development in Togo

Abstract This paper aims to analyze the effect of inequality of opportunity on early childhood development in Togo. To achieve this objective, we use a logit model to obtain the conditional probabilities of the study circumstances. Based on these probabilities, we construct dissimilarity indices with the parametric approach and then apply Shapley decomposition using data from the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) conducted in Togo in 2017. The results obtained show that inequalities in opportunities slow early childhood development. The Shapley decomposition reveals that region of residence, ownership of agricultural land and mother's education contribute most to inequalities in early childhood development dimensions at 57.58%, 25.50% and 28.77%, respectively. Additionally, the return to an equal situation between children characterized by good health, better nutrition and good social and emotional cognitive development and those in poor condition is conditioned by the reallocation of 12.4% of the inequalities of the first group of children to the second group. Strengthening the coordination of agricultural activities and the provision of safe water to rural households is essential to improve the level of the early childhood development indicator. JEL Classification: D30, D63, I14, I15