17 July 2017 - New data compiled by GSW has been used for the new DFI -Oxfam Commitment to Reducing Inequality index (CRI). This new global index which ranks 152 governments on their policies in three areas critical to reducing the gap between rich and poor: social spending, progressive taxation and labour rights. GSW provided data on 152 countries for the social spending pillar.
The accompanying analytical report, launched today at a roundtable in New York alongside the UN HLPF, finds that no government in the world is doing enough to reduce inequality, and 112 of 152 are doing less than half of what they could. Sweden tops the index and Nigeria is bottom. Many low- and middle-income countries like Namibia and Liberia do well overall and on specific policy areas.
These conclusions are based on the latest available data from governments and global institutions, compiled by DFI into a comprehensive database, and validated by many Oxfam country offices, to build a unique perspective on the extent to which governments are tackling inequality. Full results and analysis can be consulted in the report and methodology document, and you can explore country results across the 3 policy areas in this interactive digital tool.
The press release is available here.
The report calls for much greater concerted policy action by governments across the world to reduce inequality in all three policy areas, and for a dramatic scaling up of coordinated global and national investment to improve the data on inequality and policies to reduce it. The index will be updated annually, becoming an early warning system tracking progress on policy actions to fight inequality across the world.