SOCIAL INCLUSION
SitemapKey findings
Do welfare policies foster equal
opportunity in society and
prevent poverty?
opportunity in society and
prevent poverty?
Social inclusion scores are weighted composites. One qualitative assessment contributes half of the weighting, with six quantitative measures contributing the other half.
Social inclusion scores
Social inclusion scores
Social inclusionKey findings: Social inclusion
Criterion ranking are split into four groups. In the score distribution graphs, click on the bars to see individual countries’ scores.
Top group
In this top group are Nordic countries with exceptionally egalitarian societies, supported by high taxes and high levels of wide-ranging transfers, with correspondingly low poverty levels,
Gender equality is a particular strength in all three nations. Overall poverty rates are extremely low.
Norway has been struggling with an expensive reform of its social security administration for several years, with disappointing results in terms of reducing welfare dependency.
Gender equality is a particular strength in all three nations. Overall poverty rates are extremely low.
Norway has been struggling with an expensive reform of its social security administration for several years, with disappointing results in terms of reducing welfare dependency.
Upper middle group
4
8.0
5
7.9
6
7.7
7.7
8
7.6
7.6
10
7.3
11
7.1
12
7.0
13
6.9
14
6.8
6.8
In this upper group, government programs aimed at mitigating exclusion are mostly successful. However, inequality is often on the rise, driven by economic crisis or immigration.
Poverty rates are comparatively low in Finland, the Netherlands, Iceland, Austria and the Czech Republic. Iceland’s economic collapse has led to cuts in pensions and social benefits, but the tax system has been made more progressive. Redistributive social systems are minimal in Switzerland, though income inequality remains moderate.
By contrast, inequality is relatively high in the UK, while native or aboriginal groups in Canada, New Zealand and Australia are at higher risk of marginalization, as are Roma groups in the Czech Republic.
Gender equality is very substantial in cross-OECD comparison in Finland, Iceland, Australia, the UK and New Zealand, but lags in Luxembourg, Belgium and particularly in Austria.
Poverty rates are comparatively low in Finland, the Netherlands, Iceland, Austria and the Czech Republic. Iceland’s economic collapse has led to cuts in pensions and social benefits, but the tax system has been made more progressive. Redistributive social systems are minimal in Switzerland, though income inequality remains moderate.
By contrast, inequality is relatively high in the UK, while native or aboriginal groups in Canada, New Zealand and Australia are at higher risk of marginalization, as are Roma groups in the Czech Republic.
Gender equality is very substantial in cross-OECD comparison in Finland, Iceland, Australia, the UK and New Zealand, but lags in Luxembourg, Belgium and particularly in Austria.
Lower middle group
In this group, pockets of poverty remain despite active social policies, and inequality is often on the rise.
Governments in Ireland, Germany and France have put considerable effort toward reducing poverty. Ireland’s steep rise in unemployment threatens past gains, while inequality is rising in Germany. France’s transfer system is generous, but has led to quasi-permanent unemployment for some population groups.
Japan’s once-model social system is now characterized by rising inequality and poverty. Inequality in the USA, one of the OECD’s most unequal societies, is at a 90-year high. Stimulus measures aimed at addressing rising poverty had little significant effect.
Governments in Ireland, Germany and France have put considerable effort toward reducing poverty. Ireland’s steep rise in unemployment threatens past gains, while inequality is rising in Germany. France’s transfer system is generous, but has led to quasi-permanent unemployment for some population groups.
Japan’s once-model social system is now characterized by rising inequality and poverty. Inequality in the USA, one of the OECD’s most unequal societies, is at a 90-year high. Stimulus measures aimed at addressing rising poverty had little significant effect.
Bottom group
21
5.3
22
5.0
5.0
5.0
25
4.7
26
4.6
27
4.2
28
3.8
29
3.7
30
3.6
31
3.0
In this bottom group, poverty and inequality are serious problems, with other issues of social exclusion also common.
High levels of inequality persist in Hungary, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Mexico, Greece, Chile, Spain and Turkey. Outright poverty is a deepening concern in South Korea, Poland, Greece, Portugal and Mexico, as well as regionally in Italy.
Slovakia’s relatively egalitarian society features a high but shrinking share of youth not working or attending school, and a serious risk of exclusion for Roma individuals. Anti-crisis measures supporting the unemployed in this country were slow to develop. The share of youth not in education or employment has shown particularly troubling gains in Portugal.
Gender equality is poor in South Korea, Greece, Mexico and Chile.
High levels of inequality persist in Hungary, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Mexico, Greece, Chile, Spain and Turkey. Outright poverty is a deepening concern in South Korea, Poland, Greece, Portugal and Mexico, as well as regionally in Italy.
Slovakia’s relatively egalitarian society features a high but shrinking share of youth not working or attending school, and a serious risk of exclusion for Roma individuals. Anti-crisis measures supporting the unemployed in this country were slow to develop. The share of youth not in education or employment has shown particularly troubling gains in Portugal.
Gender equality is poor in South Korea, Greece, Mexico and Chile.