Nature of social and economic inequality What is social and economic inequality?

Social and economic inequality is the extent to which there are differences between groups of people in society.

Watch this video to learn about social and economic inequality in society and some of the strategies to tackle it.

Social and economic inequality can relate to differences in income and wealth, or to differences in health. Inequality can relate to the following:

• the most deprived and least deprived groups
• gender
• different geographical areas
• different ethnic groups
• disabilities and health issues
• age, ie children, young people, middle aged, pensioners

How is inequality measured?

A huge range of reports and statistics published annually detail links between poverty, life expectancy, unemployment, mortality (death) and morbidity (illness) rates and help to measure levels of inequality.

When referring to reports and statistics, it is important to recognise that each different source of information may have its own way of expressing inequality and compiling statistics.