Determinants and Measures of Inequality

This chapter analyzes trends and determinants of inequality in the SEMC. Location, educational attainment and employment status are the key factors affecting welfare levels and their distribution. The inequality patterns in the SEMC present significant variations: Turkey, Morocco and Tunisia show relatively high inequality, while others (Egypt or Syria) show moderate to low levels. Inequality in human development was addressed using the IHDI, introduced by the HDR (2010). The average loss in the HDI due to inequality in all SEMC is about 20 %.