Socioeconomic Determinants of Early Childhood Development in Turkiye

Turkiye's early childhood development (ECD) is heavily influenced by socioeconomic factors, particularly maternal education and household wealth. A recent study using data from the 2018 Turkiye Demographic and Health Survey found that 74% of children are developmentally on track, but significant gaps exist between those from low and high socioeconomic backgrounds. The research, conducted by investigators from Gebze Technical University, reveals that while kindergarten attendance is rare, it is more likely for children from educated and well-to-do households.

Key Takeaways:

• The study analyzed data from the 2018 Turkiye Demographic and Health Survey, which collected information on the developmental status of children aged 36-59 months.
• The research constructed an Early Childhood Development (ECD) index based on four domains: literacy-numeracy, physical development, learning readiness, and socio-emotional development.
• 74% of children were found to be developmentally on track, with 70.3% of boys and 78% of girls.
• Maternal education and household wealth were found to improve ECD outcomes, with household wealth having a stronger effect.
• Mothers' schooling was only positively associated with ECD outcomes once they had attained a high school education.
• Kindergarten attendance was rare, occurring in only 11.3% of children, and was more likely for those from well-to-do and educated households.
• Large gaps exist between children from low and high socioeconomic backgrounds in ECD and its components.

Statistics:

• 74% of children are developmentally on track.
• 70.3% of boys and 78% of girls are developmentally on track.
• 96% of children are developmentally on track in physical and learning readiness domains.
• 14.5% of children are developmentally on track in literacy-numeracy domain.
• 73.6% of children are developmentally on track in socio-emotional development domain.
• Mothers' schooling is only positively associated with ECD outcomes once they have attained a high school education.
• Kindergarten attendance occurs in only 11.3% of children.
• Large gaps exist between children from low and high socioeconomic backgrounds in ECD and its components.

Sources:

• Unlevel Playing Field: Socioeconomic Determinants of Early Childhood Development In Turkiye. Child Indicators Research, 2024;17(4):1741-1770.
• Springer. www.springer.com
• Child Indicators Research. www.springerlink.com/content/1874-897x/