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Make a Difference by Raising Awareness About Economic Inequality

Economic inequality is a complex problem that results from many factors that interact with one another. Fortunately, there are also many ways to address it. Whether it’s at home, in your community, or at work, you can help make a difference by raising awareness about economic inequality and advocating for policies that support a more equitable society.

A wide range of global forces contribute to economic inequality, from the excess profits earned by large monopolies to the rising returns on investment capital and declining wages for middle-class workers—a phenomenon known as “job polarization.” In addition, countries with more unequal wealth distributions tend to have higher levels of economic immobility, a key marker of inequality that’s linked to lower growth. Economic safety nets and tax policies can mitigate some of these trends, but they don’t tackle the root causes that lead to inequality and its cross-generational perpetuation.

Inequality can be exacerbated by country-specific factors, such as the gender pay gap and lack of job opportunities for women; the fact that families with children often spend less time working than those without; or the unequal distribution of land ownership. In addition, poor people are more likely to face limited access to education and healthcare, which can further stifle their ability to earn a living.

A median of 40% across the 36 nations surveyed say that differences in work ethic are a major contributor to economic inequality. Those with more ideologically liberal views are more likely to say that this is the case than those on the right, though opinions vary widely by region. In the Asia-Pacific, adults are most likely to see a link between inequality and work ethic, while those in Europe are least likely to say that is the case.