<p>The objective of this trial was to analyse how resources were allocated among African households in four WAEMU countries and its effect on living standards. First, it is a question of testing the validity of the unitary model of households, and second, it is a question of seeing the effect of the collective model on the well-being of households. The data used in this article are those of the Demographic Surveys databases of the four countries concerned. An index taking into account the five modalities of decisionmaking was calculated. The results show that the unitary model was rejected in three of the countries: Benin, Niger and Togo. Similarly, the results also show that when household decisions are made jointly with men and women, the likelihood of household living standards improving increases. Variables such as the level of education of both spouses, joint income management, and place of residence increase the likelihood that the household’s standard of living will be acceptable. Collective management of household resources is an indicator of women’s decision-making power within the household.</p>