How to repair economic inequality

Even though extreme poverty has fallen in recent years, economic inequality has grown more pervasive. In addition to having a human cost, it drags down economic growth and destabilises social systems, and it stresses government spending and revenue streams.

Yet while there’s no easy fix, there are ways to narrow the inequality gap.

Policy makers can focus on social safety nets, taxation structures and educational systems; corporations can boost training, compensation and sustainability efforts; and investors can promote responsible corporate governance. And we must make this a high­priority global effort: inequality is one of the most pressing social and economic issues the world faces today.