inequality

The Asia-Pacific region was a model for ‘growing with equity’ in the 1970s and 1980s. However an economic take-off and market-oriented reforms in recent years has been accompanied by wealth gaps between rich and poor. This report suggests a course for the region’s economies to be defined by inclusive growth and shared prosperity.

In Mali, French aid aims to build the technical capacity of Malian administrations to collect tax by fighting against fraud and tax evasion. However, collecting more domestic resources alone will not be sufficient to reduce poverty. France must support watch-dog organizations to ensure greater transparency and accountability on the use of these resources for the benefit of the poorest.

With the World Bank and International Monetary Fund Annual Meetings wrapping up, Nadia Daar, the head of Oxfam International’s Washington office commented on the week’s events, including developments on inequality, climate change, and tax policy. 

What is the IMF doing in practice to tackle inequality? Its main initiative has been a series of pilots that integrate inequality analysis into its economic surveillance of countries. This paper outlines Oxfam’s evaluation of these pilots and finds that they are not promoting policies that reduce inequality.

One year after the release of the UN Secretary-General’s High-Level Panel on Access to Medicines landmark report, this paper assesses the level of implementation by countries and institutions and recommends ways to use the report to improve both innovation and access to medicines.

World Economic Forum’s Human Capital Report demonstrates the need for a massive increase in funding for public education to close the growing gap between rich and poor and build a workforce that is fit for the future. 

Development Finance International and Oxfam have produced the first index to measure the commitment of governments to reducing the gap between the rich and the poor.  

This report examines the failings of the global tax system that facilitate mass tax avoidance. It looks at one example of a multinational company (MNC) that Oxfam thinks is not paying its fair share. Moreover, it calls on governments and business to implement the reforms that are needed to stop MNCs from avoiding paying their fair share of tax in the future. 

"The needs of the poorest were an afterthought. Despite the anger of many on the streets at the growing divide between the rich and poor, the G20 could only muster a tepid set of policies to tackle poverty and inequality," said Steve Price-Thomas, Oxfam’s director of advocacy and campaigns.

Plus, three other critical questions ahead of Friday’s G20 summit.