2014年-世界发展银行全球_The_Reduction_of_Child_Mortality_in_the_Middle_East_and_North_Africa___A_Success_Story_25页_961kb

Summary of "The Reduction of Child Mortality in the Middle East and North Africa: A Success Story"

Core Content

This working paper examines the significant decline in child mortality rates in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region between 1970 and 2010, highlighting it as a success story in global development. It compares the region's performance with other developing regions and explores the underlying factors contributing to this decline.

Main Findings

• Child Mortality Decline: All 17 MENA countries experienced a decline in child mortality rates over the 40-year period, with some performing exceptionally well.
• Comparative Success: Most MENA countries outperformed their global comparators, achieving the lowest or second lowest child mortality rates by 2010.
• Regional Performance: The MENA region had the highest percentage reduction in child mortality (87%) among all developing regions. It moved from a high mortality group in 1970 to a lower mortality group by 1990.
• Econometric Analysis: The study identifies several key determinants of child mortality decline, including income growth, public health spending, education, urbanization, and food sufficiency. The initial level of mortality is also a significant factor, with higher initial rates associated with faster subsequent declines.

Key Determinants of Child Mortality Reduction

• Income Growth: Positive correlation with child mortality decline. Higher per capita growth leads to faster reduction in child mortality.
• Public Health Spending: Significant impact on child mortality decline, especially in the MENA region where public services have been historically emphasized.
• Education: Higher education levels are associated with better child mortality outcomes, likely due to improved knowledge about child care and health practices.
• Urbanization: Positively correlated with child mortality decline, as urban areas typically have better access to health facilities and more efficient health care delivery.
• Food Sufficiency: The lowest level of undernourishment in the MENA region contributes to its success in reducing child mortality. Food subsidies have played a key role in ensuring adequate food access for lower-income populations.

Country-Specific Performance

• Top Performers: Oman and Saudi Arabia ranked second and third globally for child mortality reduction, achieving over 94% reduction.
• Best in Category: Eleven MENA countries achieved the lowest child mortality rates in their respective categories by 2010, with notable performers including Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Libya, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, and the UAE.
• Notable Exceptions: Jordan and Iraq ranked lower, indicating that other factors may have hindered their progress.

Regional Comparisons

• Initial Mortality Levels: The initial level of mortality in 1970 significantly influenced the pace of decline. Countries with higher initial mortality rates experienced faster reductions.
• Undernourishment: The MENA region had the lowest level of undernourishment, contributing to its superior performance in reducing child mortality. This is attributed to widespread food subsidies.
• Econometric Results: The elasticity of undernourishment is -0.17, which is comparable to that of education (0.18), indicating its substantial impact on mortality reduction.

Conclusion

The MENA region's success in reducing child mortality is attributed to a combination of factors, including income growth, public health spending, education, urbanization, and notably, food sufficiency. The region's performance edge over others, particularly in undernourishment status, is a unique and significant contributor to its achievements. The paper underscores the importance of considering initial mortality levels when designing development policies and highlights the role of food subsidies in improving child health outcomes.