New publication measures inequality of opportunity in Asia and the Pacific

A new report, focusing on multiple aspects and forms of inequality – inequality of outcomes, of opportunities and of impacts – shows that inequality in Asia and the Pacific in on the rise and that unequal access to basic opportunities has left large groups of people behind. The report, entitled Inequality in Asia and the Pacific the Era of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, was launched during the 74th Commission Session, which took place in Bangkok during 11-16 May 2018 under the same theme.

The report finds that inequality of opportunity in Asia and the Pacific contributes to widening inequalities of outcome, particularly in income and wealth. In turn, these income and wealth inequalities aggravate and perpetuate inequalities in access to health care, education, technology, and protection from natural disasters and environmental hazards.

A novelty of the report is that it measures inequality of opportunity using the dissimilarity index (D-index) for 14 opportunities, thus allowing a comparison of inequality levels among countries, as well as a further decomposition of the observed inequality into those circumstances the contribute mostly to it. The analysis, presented in chapter 2 then delves deeper to determine those households and individuals that are left behind. This analysis builds on the findings of a series of thematic policy papers on inequality of opportunity, some of which are available here.

To read the Executive Summary of the report, click here.
To download the full publication, click here: http://www.unescap.org/sites/default/files/publications/ThemeStudyOnIneq...
For a quick overview of the report’s key messages, click here.