Preface

Explanatory notes

Executive summary

Introduction

I.The case for focusing on inequality

   Linkages between poverty eradication and
   inequality

   Inequality and the economic dimension
   of poverty

   Inequality and the socio-political dimensions
   of poverty

   Structural reform, the public sector and inequality

   Universal access to education, health care and
   social protection

   Patterns of intervention

   Conclusion

II.A spotlight on inequality: the informal economy

   A brief overview of the informal economy

   The attraction of the informal economy

   Reasons for the growth of the informal economy

   Linkages between the formal and informal
   economies

   Conclusion
 

III.Trends and patterns of inequality

   Economic aspects of inequality

   Income inequality between countries

   Income inequality within countries

   Poverty

   Unemployment

   Non-economic aspects of inequality

   Health

   Life expectancy

   Maternal and child health

   HIV/AIDS and other deseases

   Hunger and malnutrition

   Education

   Conclusion

 
IV.Inequalities and social integration

   Intergenerational dimensions of inequality

   Consumption, inequality and social
   integration

   Violence and inequality

   Violent crime

   Armed conflict

   Youth demographics

   Rape and child soldiers

   Domestic violence and slavery

   Fostering democracy and social
   integration

   Conclusion
 

V.The changing context of development and inequality

   Globalization: asymmetries and the loss of policy space

   The impact of liberalization and stabilization policies on

   inequality

   Financial liberalization

   Trade liberalization

   Financing the social agenda

   Official development assistance

   Innovative sources of financing

   Migrant remittances

   The peace dividend

   The role of the State and civil society

   Conclusion
 

VI.The way forward: policies to reduce inequality

   Redressing global asymmetries

   Intensifying integrated strategies and policies
   for poverty eradication

   Guaranteeing employment opportunities for all

   Fostering social integration and cohesion

Annex

The ten commitments of the World Summit for Social Development

Bibliography

Figures

I.1Policy framework: the three main pillars of social
    development centred on equity and equality

I.2Relationship between life expectancy at birth and
    the level of public and private health spending, 2002

III.1Evolution of income inequality among countries

III.2Per capita gross domestic product in the poorest and
    richest countries, 1960-1962 and 2000-2002

III.3Inequalities in life expectancy between major world regions: 
      deviations of regional life expectancy at birth from that of
      Australia/New Zealand, (1990-1995 and 2000-2005)

III.4Distribution of all countries according to how far their
      life expectancy falls below that of Japan, 1990 and 2000

V.1Aid from all Development Assistance Committee (DAC)
      donors as a percentage of gross domestic product:
      the long-term trend to 2004

V.2Aid from Development Assistance Committee (DAC)
     donors as a proportion of gross domestic product

V.3Social sector spending among country groupings
     classified by income

V.4Defence and social sector spending in countries
     with the highest defence expenditures

V.5Defence and social spending in countries with
     the highest social sector expenditures

Tables

I.1Size and growth of the informal sector in selected
    countries, by sex

III.1Regional per capita income as a share of high-income
      OECD countries’ average per capita income

III.2Distribution of countries according to trends in Gini
      coefficients for income distribution between the 1950s
      and the 1990s

III.3Poverty rates for the world, major regions, and
      China and India

III.4Unemployment rates, labour force growth rates and
      GDP growth rates for the world and major regions

III.5Levels of under-five mortality for selected countries
      and between-country inequality indices

III.6Under-five mortality for countries with the highest
       and lowest rates, 1995, 2000 and 2002

III.7Immunization coverage among children aged 12-23 months,
      by country and selected background characteristics

III.8Differentials within and between selected countries in access
      to skilled medical care at delivery for children born three years
      before the survey

III.9Adults and children affected by HIV/AIDS: the world and
      major regions, 2004

III.10Women living with HIV: the world and major regions, 2004

III.11Percentages of total, urban and rural household populations
        with no education, by sex

III.12Inequalities in primary school enrolment: the world and
        major regions, 1998 and 2001

III.13Inequalities in secondary school enrolment: the world
        and major regions, 1998 and 2001