SDG 10 – Reduced Inequalities

The international community has made significant progress in lifting people out of poverty. The most vulnerable nations – such as the least developed countries, landlocked developing countries and small island developing states – continue to make progress in reducing poverty. However, inequalities and wide disparities in access to health, education and other goods persist.

There is a growing consensus that economic growth, unless it is inclusive and encompasses the three dimensions of sustainable development – economic, social and environmental – is not sufficient on its own to reduce poverty. Fortunately, income inequality has decreased both between countries and within them. Currently, 60 of the 94 countries from which data are available have seen their per capita income rise faster than the national average. Some progress has also been made in creating favourable access conditions for exports from least developed countries.

To reduce inequalities, policies should in principle be universal and take into account the needs of disadvantaged and marginalized groups. There is a need for greater duty-free treatment and continued promotion of exports from developing countries, as well as an increase in the voting share of developing countries in the IMF. Finally, technological innovations can help reduce the cost of remittances for migrant workers.

Did you know?
In many countries, an ever-increasing share of income goes to the richest 1%.
The poorest 40% receive less than 25% of total income.