This report is a quantitative analysis of two case studies demonstrating the binding
development constraints and options for their alleviation. The first case study is an analysis
of health inequalities which remain an important policy issue in many developing countries.
Using the 2014 data for the Zambia Demographic and Health Survey (DHS), the paper
assesses health inequality in Zambia using Child stunting as a health variable. The paper finds
that those in the poorest group had more than thrice the Child stunting rate of the richest
group, proving the existence of health inequality in Zambia. The paper further investigates
the factors associated with stunting and finds that the mother’s age, education, marital
status, socio-economic status, location and nutritional status measured by body mass index
(BMI) are significantly associated with Child stunting. Policy recommendations center on
women empowerment, improving household food security and rolling out Social Cash
Transfer schemes among others.
The second case study is concerned with technical and vocational skills development, which
despite being a key factor in economic growth remains limited in Zambia. Using multiple
regression, the study finds that participating in skills training is determined by age, level of
education, gender and location (rural or urban). These factors also affect participants’
choices among the various skills training options that exist in Zambia: on-the-job training,
public institutions, private institutions and apprenticeship. The study provides a number of
recommendations. One relates to improved access to education for girls to improve their
chances of accessing skills training. Another one calls for the formalisation of
apprenticeships which remain informal and unofficial despite a substantial proportion of
people acquiring skills through this avenue.