The 2006 MICS compiled data on children using modules from the MICS3 questionnaire as well as data on young people from the questionnaire used for the PAPFAM. The goal was to provide indicators and information facilitating the implementation, evaluation, and reorientation of programs and services for children and young people. Initially, a sample size of 8,094 households was planned to ensure representativeness across the country in each area of residence (urban, rural) and even at the level of certain regions. An average size of 25 households per cluster was also targeted. Among the households selected, 7,931 were actually interviewed, yielding a response rate of 98 percent. Data were compiled between October 30, 2006 and December 30, 2006.

The MOH conducted the 2011 ENPSF with technical assistance from PAPFAM. Two questionnaires—designed and adapted based on the PAPFAM model questionnaires—were used to compile data; one household questionnaire and one individual questionnaire targeting ever-married women between the ages of 15 and 49 from the households surveyed. The number of households actually interviewed as part of the 2011 ENPSF was 15,343. The number of women actually interviewed stood at 11,069. Data were compiled between November 8, 2010 and March 7, 2011.

The ONDH survey undertook, for the first time in Morocco, a household panel survey to track the human development situation in the country and contribute to the assessment of public policies on human development. The 2012 data comprised the baseline round of the survey. The sample size was set at 8,000 households to have representative results at the national level and at the urban and rural levels throughout the country. Actual interviews of 7,854 households comprising 37,444 individuals were conducted. Of these individuals, 3,395 were children under the age of five. Field data for the 2012 group, the reference year of the panel, were collected between March and July 2012.

# _2.2 Measures of ECD_

ECD is a complex and multidimensional process that starts even before children are born. This paper focuses on ECD in terms of health and survival; nutrition; and children’s social, emotional, and cognitive development from the time when a child is still in the womb until the child is five years old (the age of school entry in Morocco). Twelve different indicators (see Box 1) are used to assess the status of ECD in Morocco, its evolution over time, and the extent of inequality in ECD. These indicators were selected due to their important contributions to ECD while keeping in mind the limitations of the data. For instance, while we would ideally be measuring cognitive

|**Box 1. ECD Indicators Examined**|
|---|
|1. Prenatal care|
|2. Trained attendant at delivery|
|3. Infant mortality (dying in the first year)|
|4. Fully immunized|
|5. Stunting|
|6. Underweight|
|7. Wasting|
|8. Iodized salt|
|9. Early childhood care and education|
|10. Parental development activities|
|11. Violent child discipline|
|12. Work and domestic work|

development directly, such data are not captured in national surveys in Morocco. For this reason, we examine important inputs to cognitive development such as early childhood care and education, and parents’ engagement in development activities.

The measures we use for health and survival are prenatal care, having a trained attendant present during delivery, infant mortality (dying in the first year of life), and whether children are fully immunized at the age of one. Infant mortality represents the ultimate loss of human 4