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Growth has not eased the burden
on the poor, says the report |
A UN report has found that the world is more unequal today than it
was 10 years ago, despite considerable economic growth in many regions.
This year's report on the world's social situation argues that although living
standards have improved in some places, poverty remains entrenched.
The authors warned that focusing only on economic growth is an ineffective
way of achieving development.
They said wealthy nations are the main beneficiaries of economic development.
The UN report - drawn up by the UN's Economic and Social Affairs Department
- found that the gap between rich and poor is now wider than it was
a decade ago, and called for immediate action.
The report focuses on worldwide inequality in income and wealth, along with
other areas such as health and education.
'Redistribution'
The report said that although China and India had seen considerable income
growth, there was a wide income gap.
It said it would be impossible for the 2.8bn people living on less
than $2 a day to ever match the consumption levels of the rich.
The UN secretary general said the report showed the development agenda could
not be advanced without addressing inequality, such as the gap between skilled
and unskilled workers and between the formal and informal sectors.
The report recommends expanding opportunities for productive employment, bringing
marginalized groups into society and working to distribute the benefits of what
it called the increasingly open world economy.
