Assessment of Inequality of Opportunity Trends for Children in Türkiye: 1993-2018

Abstract

The study aims to analyze the inequality of opportunity trends among children in Türkiye between 1993 and 2018. Inequality of opportunity, which refers to the phenomenon when an individual’s outcomes are determined by factors such as sex, ethnicity, and family characteristics that are beyond his/her control, is among the most significant challenges in the world today. It cripples the development process and hinders the demographic dividend by wasting the productive capacity, leading to inefficient resource allocation, and impairing institutions that are critical for development. Using the Human Opportunity Index methodology and six Türkiye Demographic and Health Surveys conducted every five years from 1993 to 2018, the study analyzed the inequality of opportunity trends in 18 opportunities that can grouped under basic infrastructure (5 opportunities), education (4 opportunities) and health and nutrition (9 opportunities) categories. All the opportunities are derived from the Sustainable Development Goals. The results indicate that there was a substantial improvement in the level and equality in access to the majority of opportunities. 12 out of 18 opportunities exhibited near universal level of coverage and a negligible level of inequality. The access rate to computer, internet, secondary education, full antenatal care, postnatal care, and immunization is comparatively lower. The inequality in access to these opportunities was high only for computer and internet ownership. Comprehensive interventions are still needed to ensure increased access and utilization of the opportunities with quality improvements in the basic services to eliminate inequality of opportunity.