How have inequalities evolved in recent years?
Although global inequalities between all countries have decreased due to globalization and the emergence of India and China, intra-country inequalities between the richest and the poorest have greatly increased in most countries of the world over the last 30 years. Indeed, 75% of the inhabitants of the so-called "developing" regions now live in a country that is, by comparison, more unequal than in 1990. Nevertheless, the same evolution has not been observed in all regions of the world.
Sub-Saharan Africa
Inequalities remain high despite the strong growth of the 2000s, especially in Southern Africa, a sub-region where two of the three most unequal countries in the world are found: South Africa and Namibia. The main inequalities observed in this region concern access to education, public and health services as well as spatial and gender inequalities.
Mediterranean / Middle East Region
While inequality remains stable in terms of indicators in this region, the rate of well-being experienced by the middle classes has deteriorated over the last decade, probably due to the Arab Spring. The main inequalities observed in this region are the following: inequalities of opportunity in terms of access to employment and quality public services, spatial inequalities and the preponderance of horizontal inequalities (ethnic, religious).
Latin America
Inequality has fallen unprecedentedly in recent decades but continues to persist. For example, 10 countries in the American subcontinent are among the 15 most unequal economies in the world.
Asia
Although inequality decreased significantly until 1990 (calculated using the Gini coefficient), it has since increased in many countries (e.g. China, India, Indonesia). Development plans based on inclusive growth are underway in these countries.