Changes in Socioeconomic Inequality in Under-Five Mortality in Egypt Between 1995 and 2014: An Oaxaca Decomposition Analysis

The main purpose of this study is to monitor the changes in socioeconomic inequality in under-five mortality between 1995 and 2014 in Egypt using cross sectional data from the EDHS conducted in 1995 and 2014. Nationally representative samples of 8027 and 11495 live births were selected in 1995 and 2014 respectively. The changes in contributors to socioeconomic inequality in under-five mortality between 1995 and 2014 was estimated by Oaxaca decomposition analysis. The results of Concentration curve showed that socio-economic variations in under-five morality have narrowed over time. Moreover, the highest share to socioeconomic inequality in under-five mortality in 1995 was due to households’ economic status (54%), while education of mother in 2014 made the largest share to inequality in under-five mortality (38%). The findings illustrate that policy actions on improving education of mother would lead to the reduction in under-five mortality inequality especially in rural areas.