SOCIAL COHESION
Do policies prevent poverty and limit socioeconomic disparity?
Social cohesion scores are weighted composites. A qualitative policy assessment [ 
] contributes one-half of this weighting, with the three quantitative measures [ 
] each contributing an additional one-sixth.
Scores and methodology
] contributes one-half of this weighting, with the three quantitative measures [ ] each contributing an additional one-sixth. Scores and methodology
Social cohesionKey findings: Social cohesion
Each 
represents an individual country and is positioned on a scale from 1 (lowest) to 10 (best). Position cursor over to see scores for individual countries.
Click country name in list or text for details.
represents an individual country and is positioned on a scale from 1 (lowest) to 10 (best). Position cursor over to see scores for individual countries.Click country name in list or text for details.
Score distribution
9.1
1
9.1
9.1
8.3
4
8.3
7.9
6
7.7
7
7.5
8
7.4
9
7.1
10
7.1
In most of the top-ranking countries, minimizing socioeconomic disparities is seen as an important societal goal, pursued through strong social welfare policies and progressive taxation.
The Nordic countries (Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland) have very low poverty rates, and strong social support services. Netherlands, too, has a comprehensive welfare state, though with some recent reductions in support.
Luxembourg's society is very egalitarian, with social cohesion highly valued. Switzerland's social security system effectively prevents poverty.
Traditionally minimal, income and socioeconomic disparities in Iceland and Belgium are growing. In Austria, poverty rates are on the rise among ethnic minorities and the socially disadvantaged.
The Nordic countries (Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland) have very low poverty rates, and strong social support services. Netherlands, too, has a comprehensive welfare state, though with some recent reductions in support.
Luxembourg's society is very egalitarian, with social cohesion highly valued. Switzerland's social security system effectively prevents poverty.
Traditionally minimal, income and socioeconomic disparities in Iceland and Belgium are growing. In Austria, poverty rates are on the rise among ethnic minorities and the socially disadvantaged.
6.9
12
6.7
13
6.5
14
6.3
15
6.0
16
5.5
17
5.3
18
5.2
19
4.8
20
4.8
The middle group includes several countries with rapidly rising income disparities. Governments often give poverty prevention a lesser priority than growth, or offer relatively low social benefits.
A large number of countries (Iceland, Belgium, Ireland, UK, U.S., Japan) have seen recent, sometimes substantial increases in socioeconomic inequality.
Levels of social cohesion are low in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, while persistent unrest has troubled France's suburbs.
The social welfare state is relatively undeveloped in the United States. Welfare policies mitigate the worst problems, but fail to prevent poverty in many states (New Zealand, Austria, Australia, Germany, Canada, UK), despite considerable expenditure in some cases.
A large number of countries (Iceland, Belgium, Ireland, UK, U.S., Japan) have seen recent, sometimes substantial increases in socioeconomic inequality.
Levels of social cohesion are low in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, while persistent unrest has troubled France's suburbs.
The social welfare state is relatively undeveloped in the United States. Welfare policies mitigate the worst problems, but fail to prevent poverty in many states (New Zealand, Austria, Australia, Germany, Canada, UK), despite considerable expenditure in some cases.
4.5
22
4.1
23
3.8
24
3.6
25
3.3
26
3.2
27
3.0
28
2.7
29
1.4
30
The countries in this group typically have high, persistent poverty rates, substantial regional disparities, or flawed social safety nets.
South Korea, historically quite successful in reducing poverty, has seen sharp increases in disparity. Unemployment insurance remains minimal.
A number of nations have relatively high poverty rates (Italy, Hungary, Poland, Spain, Mexico, Greece, Turkey), often with a significant regional component (Italy, Spain, Mexico, Greece, Turkey).
Recent labor market and family reforms in Hungary have addressed social cohesion. Portugal's policies effectively prevent poverty, but not socioeconomic inequality, and the country has recently boosted minimum income and pension levels.
South Korea, historically quite successful in reducing poverty, has seen sharp increases in disparity. Unemployment insurance remains minimal.
A number of nations have relatively high poverty rates (Italy, Hungary, Poland, Spain, Mexico, Greece, Turkey), often with a significant regional component (Italy, Spain, Mexico, Greece, Turkey).
Recent labor market and family reforms in Hungary have addressed social cohesion. Portugal's policies effectively prevent poverty, but not socioeconomic inequality, and the country has recently boosted minimum income and pension levels.
Rationale
This criterion measures the extent to which social policy prevents poverty and limits socioeconomic disparities.
While the prevention of poverty and the mitigation of socioeconomic disparities may coincide, the two objectives differ from each other and may require rather different policies.
Poverty prevention, in normative terms, is more desirable than limiting socioeconomic disparities.
Performance comparison
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