Sustainable Development Goal 10
"Reduce inequality within and among countries"
Linkage with other SDGs
Reducing inequality within and among countries ensures equitable access to resources, opportunities, and services. Addressing systemic barriers faced by marginalised communities is essential for promoting social cohesion, fostering economic growth, and achieving sustainable development.
The following direct and indirect interlinkages exist between SDG 10 and all other SDGs:
SDG 1 - No Poverty: Income inequality is a key driver of poverty. Reducing disparities in wealth and access to social protection systems helps lift marginalised populations out of poverty. Example: Progressive taxation policies in Nordic countries have narrowed income gaps and reduced poverty.
SDG 2 - Zero Hunger: Inequalities in access to food, land, and agricultural resources worsen hunger among vulnerable populations, including smallholder farmers and rural communities. Addressing these disparities ensures food security for all. Example: Land redistribution programs in South Africa have improved agricultural productivity for disadvantaged groups, reducing hunger.
SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being: Health inequalities arise from unequal access to healthcare services, nutritious food, and clean water. Reducing these disparities ensures better health outcomes for all. Example: Community health projects targeting indigenous populations in Australia have narrowed gaps in life expectancy and access to healthcare.
SDG 4 - Quality Education: Unequal access to education perpetuates generational cycles of poverty and inequality. Equitable investment in education ensures all children, regardless of gender or socioeconomic status, have access to quality learning opportunities. Example: Conditional cash transfer programs in Brazil have improved school attendance rates among low-income families.
SDG 5 - Gender Equality: Gender inequality exacerbates broader social and economic inequalities. Empowering women and girls reduces disparities and drives inclusive development. Example: Rwanda’s initiatives to promote gender equality in governance have reduced income inequalities and fostered economic growth.
SDG 6 - Clean Water and Sanitation: Inequalities in access to water and sanitation disproportionately affect marginalised communities. Addressing these disparities ensures healthier communities and improves economic resilience. Example: Water access programs targeting rural areas in Kenya have reduced sanitation gaps between urban and rural populations.
SDG 7 - Affordable and Clean Energy: Energy poverty disproportionately affects low-income and remote communities. Expanding access to affordable clean energy reduces disparities and improves quality of life. Example: Solar home systems in Bangladesh have electrified rural areas, narrowing the urban-rural energy divide.
SDG 8 - Decent Work and Economic Growth: Income inequality undermines economic growth by limiting opportunities for marginalised populations. Promoting inclusive labor markets and fair wages reduces disparities and fosters equitable development. Example: Minimum wage laws in South Africa have improved incomes for low-paid workers, reducing inequality.
SDG 9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure: Infrastructure inequality isolates marginalised populations from markets, services, and opportunities. Building inclusive infrastructure ensures equitable access for all. Example: Digital connectivity projects in rural India have expanded access to education and job opportunities.
SDG 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities: Inequality in urban planning leads to slum formation and marginalisation. Inclusive urban policies promote access to housing, transportation, and basic services for disadvantaged groups. Example: Affordable housing projects in Colombia have improved living conditions for low-income families, reducing urban inequalities.
SDG 12 - Responsible Consumption and Production: Unequal resource distribution exacerbates environmental and social challenges. Equitable systems ensure that the benefits of sustainable consumption and production reach all communities. Example: Community recycling programs in Ghana have provided livelihoods for low-income groups, promoting sustainable practices.
SDG 13 - Climate Action: Climate change disproportionately affects vulnerable populations, including those with limited resources to adapt. Reducing inequality ensures all communities can implement climate resilience strategies. Example: Climate adaptation programs in Bangladesh have focused on supporting low-income communities in flood-prone areas.
SDG 14 - Life Below Water: Inequalities in access to marine resources impact coastal communities reliant on fisheries for livelihoods. Sustainable fisheries policies can address disparities while preserving marine ecosystems. Example: Community-led fishing cooperatives in Indonesia have empowered marginalised fishers, ensuring equitable resource use.
SDG 15 - Life on Land: inequality limits access to forests, farmland, and biodiversity resources for marginalised groups. Promoting equitable land use and conservation benefits both people and ecosystems. Example: Reforestation projects involving indigenous communities in Brazil have improved livelihoods and preserved biodiversity.
SDG 16 - Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions: Inequalities in access to justice and governance fuel social unrest and weaken institutions. Promoting inclusive policies and equitable access to resources strengthens social cohesion and stability. Example: Post-conflict governance reforms in Colombia have focused on reducing inequalities among affected populations.
SDG 17 - Partnerships for the Goals: International cooperation reduces inequalities among countries by addressing disparities in trade, technology, and resource allocation. Example: Global financing initiatives like the Green Climate Fund have supported climate adaptation in developing countries, addressing inequities.
Consquence of failing to reach targets
Failure to reduce inequalities undermines progress across other SDGs:
- Poverty reduction (SDG 1) stagnates as wealth remains concentrated among a small fraction of the population.
- Health outcomes (SDG 3) worsen as marginalized communities remain excluded from essential services.
- Urban sustainability (SDG 11) falters due to segregation and lack of equitable access to infrastructure.
- Climate resilience (SDG 13) weakens as vulnerable populations struggle to adapt to environmental challenges.
Reducing inequalities is essential for building inclusive and equitable societies. It fosters social cohesion, ensures access to opportunities, and promotes sustainable growth for all.
SDG 10: Targets, Indicators, Progress and Data
By 2030, progressively achieve and sustain income growth of the bottom 40 per cent of the population at a rate higher than the national average.
10.1.1: Growth rates of household expenditure or income per capita among the bottom 40 per cent of the population and the total population.
Among 124 countries with available data, more than half have achieved income growth for the bottom 40% of the population at a rate higher than the national average. However, there are notable regional disparities. In 78% of countries in Northern America and Europe, the bottom 40% experienced faster income growth than the national average, while only 30% of countries in Central Asia and Southern Asia demonstrated this trend. Limited data from the pandemic period suggests that in most regions, financial transfers boosted shared prosperity in many countries by supporting the income growth of disadvantaged populations.
By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.
10.2.1: Proportion of people living below 50 per cent of median income, by sex, age and persons with disabilities.
For the 53 countries with information in 2015 and 2020, on average, the share of people living below half the median has declined by 1 percentage point, from 13.4% to 12.5%. This trend continued during COVID-19, in large part because of generous social assistance programs implemented in several countries. Yet the share living below half the median remains worryingly high in many countries: In 17 countries, more than 20% of the population lives below half the national median.
Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory laws, policies and practices and promoting appropriate legislation, policies and action in this regard.
10.3.1: Proportion of population reporting having personally felt discriminated against or harassed within the previous 12 months on the basis of a ground of discrimination prohibited under international human rights law.
The number of countries reporting on discrimination has increased by 37% since 2022. However, one person in six continues to encounter discrimination. Racial discrimination and discrimination based on age, gender, religion or belief remain pervasive. While 7% of the population surveyed report being discriminated on the ground of social origin or socio-economic status, only less than a fifth of countries monitor this ground.
Adopt policies, especially fiscal, wage and social protection policies, and progressively achieve greater equality.
10.4.1: Labour share of GDP.
10.4.2: Redistributive impact of fiscal policy.
The share of economic output earned by workers decreased from 54.1% in 2004 to 52.7% in 2021, amounting to an average decline of $568 (PPP) per worker. The pandemic exacerbated this situation, with economic output and labour income in 2021 still below 2019 levels in many regions. As earnings from work are crucial for the less well-off and vulnerable, the long-term decline in labour income share represents an upward pressure for inequality.
Improve the regulation and monitoring of global financial markets and institutions and strengthen the implementation of such regulations.
10.5.1: Financial Soundness Indicators.
In 2022, banks improved their overall performance compared to 2015 amid ongoing COVID-19 recovery. The proportion of countries reporting a return on assets (ROA) above one percent increased to 77.2% from 70% in 2021, with the median ROA rising from 1.34% to 1.56%. Asset quality also improved, with the median nonperforming loans to total loans ratio decreasing from 4.07% in 2021 to 3.52% in 2022. However, the capital buffer remained stable, with the median Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets at 16.8% in 2022, compared to 17% in 2021.
Ensure enhanced representation and voice for developing countries in decision-making in global international economic and financial institutions in order to deliver more effective, credible, accountable and legitimate institutions.
10.6.1: Proportion of members and voting rights of developing countries in international organisations.
No information provided on the UN SDG website.
Facilitate orderly, safe, regular and responsible migration and mobility of people, including through the implementation of planned and well-managed migration policies.
10.7.1: Recruitment cost borne by employee as a proportion of monthly income earned in country of destination.
10.7.2: Number of countries with migration policies that facilitate orderly, safe, regular and responsible migration and mobility of people.
10.7.3: Number of people who died or disappeared in the process of migration towards an international destination.
10.7.4: Proportion of the population who are refugees, by country of origin.
In 2023, there were 8,177 migrant fatalities globally, marking the deadliest year on record, per data from IOM’s Missing Migrants Project. This underscores the urgent need for safe migration pathways, as people continue to risk their lives on irregular routes due to limited alternatives.
At mid-2023, 35.8 million refugees under UNHCR’s mandate, including other people in need of international protection, remained forcibly displaced due to war, conflict, persecution, human rights violations, and events seriously disturbing public order. This figure represents the highest total recorded to date and reflects increases due to new situations and no progress in resolving protracted refugee situations. In 2015, there were 213 refugees per 100,000 people worldwide, but by mid-2023, this figure doubled to 441 refugees per 100,000 people.
Implement the principle of special and differential treatment for developing countries, in particular least developed countries, in accordance with World Trade Organization agreements.
10.A.1: Proportion of tariff lines applied to imports from least developed countries and developing countries with zero-tariff.
No information provided on the UN SDG website.
Encourage official development assistance and financial flows, including foreign direct investment, to States where the need is greatest, in particular least developed countries, African countries, small island developing States and landlocked developing countries, in accordance with their national plans and programmes.
10.B.1: Total resource flows for development, by recipient and donor countries and type of flow (e.g. official development assistance, foreign direct investment and other flows).
No information provided on the UN SDG website.
By 2030, reduce to less than 3 per cent the transaction costs of migrant remittances and eliminate remittance corridors with costs higher than 5 per cent.
10.C.1: Remittance costs as a proportion of the amount remitted.
The global average remittance costs as a proportion of the amount remitted dropped from 7.42% in 2016 to 6.18% in 2023. Corridors offering costs below 5% increased from 23% in 2016 to 75% in 2023. While progress is evident, sustained efforts are needed to meet the target 10.c.