This paper proposes a measure of the contribution of unequal opportunities to earnings inequality. Drawing on the distinction between ‘circumstance’ and ‘effort’ variables in John Roemer’s work on equality of opportunity, we associate inequality of opportunities with five observed...

This paper examines for the first time inequality of opportunity for income in Africa, by analyzing large-sample surveys, all providing information on individuals' parental background, in five comparable Sub-Saharan countries: Ivory Coast, Ghana, Guinea, Madagascar and Uganda. We compute...

A new analysis of large-sample surveys in five comparable Sub-Saharan African countries allows measuring for the first time inequality of opportunity in Africa, aside inequality of resources and of living standards. We confirm the prevalence of high levels of inequality among the region’s...

In this paper, we examine the effect of migrants’ remittances on poverty and inequality. The survey data were collected in Morocco, in the rural areas of the region Souss-Massa-Draa. By applying an original approach, we estimate the counterfactual income of remittance-recipient households...

We present the framework of a macro-micro simulation model for the study of the impact of economic policies on income distribution and monetary poverty in Madagascar. Modelling options and choices are discussed for the micro-economic module and for the macro-micro linkages. Econometric...

It is not known to what extent welfare measures result from seasonal and geographical price differences rather than from differences in living standards across households. Using data from Rwanda in 1983, we show that the change in mean living standard indicators caused by local and seasonal...

Since 2004, the Government of Senegal has adopted an accelerated growth program in the aim o reducing poverty by half before 2015 (Millennium Development Goal). This article criticizes thi program by analysing his pro-poor components. It shows that policies are too much oriented toward sectors...

Since the 1994 devaluation, growth resumed in Mali without any significant decrease of poverty. This may be explained by the high level of inequality, which has increased in the recent period. The poverty reduction strategy described in the PRSP relies mainly on increasing the supply of primary...

The people of Madagascar, and particularly those of its capital, Antananarivo, strongly support democracy, and reject authoritarian regimes. Support among the poor is no different from other social groups. However, living conditions in poor city wards have resulted in values and attitudes of...