Decentralization and Regional Disparities in Well-Being

This research study focuses on decentralization and regional disparities in well-being in Burkina Faso. Its objective is to analyze the socioeconomic outcomes of decentralization and regional disparities in well-being. It also seeks to characterize the effect of territorial decentralization on regional disparities in well-being. The results highlight the scale of the challenges posed by decentralization that certain regions must overcome in order to contribute substantially to improving living conditions. They also show that disparities exist among the thirteen regions of Burkina Faso. Furthermore, decentralization has not yet succeeded in initiating convergence in living standards across the different regions. The trend in interregional disparities in well-being remained unchanged over the period studied, both in terms of GDP per capita and rates of access to health and education services. Finally, to change this trajectory, recommendations have been proposed. They focus on equity, efficiency, the provision of public goods and services, and institutional change.