More than just a home: the impact of household conditions on early childhood development in Jordan

Purpose This paper examines the impact of household environment and assets on early childhood development (ECD) in Jordan. Design/methodology/approach We develop a composite household environment and assets (HEA) index that captures key aspects of living conditions, including access to information, durable goods, water and sanitation, housing quality, cooking and cooling facilities, and financial inclusion. Based on nationally representative microdata from the 2023 Jordan Demographic and Health Survey, the first wave to provide detailed measures of developmental milestones for children aged 24–59 months, we examine the association between the HEA index and child development outcomes across health, learning, and psychosocial domains, using linear probability models, double machine learning, and Probit estimators. Findings Our findings indicate that higher HEA scores are associated with better developmental outcomes, even after controlling for parental education and regional characteristics. The results highlight that fostering early human capital formation requires not only poverty reduction but also targeted improvements in household living conditions. Originality/value These insights carry important implications for policies aimed at strengthening education, labour market participation, and long-term well-being in Jordan.