The World Social Report 2025: A New Policy Consensus to Accelerate Social Progress outlines urgent global social challenges and proposes policy solutions centered on equity, economic security, and solidarity. Published jointly by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) and the UN University’s World Institute for Development Economics Research (UNU-WIDER), the report serves as a strategic framework for the upcoming Second World Summit for Social Development (November 4–6, 2025).
Key Findings and Analysis
1. Triple Crisis of Inequality, Insecurity, and Distrust
- Poverty dynamics: Although extreme poverty has decreased, much of this progress remains “fragile,” given the multitude of crises (including economic shocks, climate disasters, and ongoing conflicts). More than 25% of the global population lives close to the poverty level and thus at heightened risk of sliding back. Poverty rates across conflict-affected countries are 2-3 times higher than in other countries (e.g. poverty rates in conflict zones in Sub-Saharan Africa are 58%, while the rest of the region is 23%).
- Labor market instability: Informality in work remains widespread (53% globally, as of 2023), and temporary contracts are increasingly concentrated in younger European workers. Widespread decent work deficits create economic insecurity and favorable conditions for social unrest.
- Inequality: The richest 1% captured 19% of the world’s income in 2022 (up from 16% in 1990), while the poorest 50% of the population had only 2% of the wealth. Climate inequality makes this situation even worse: the poorest 50% generate 12% of emissions but suffer 75% of income losses.
2. Erosion of Social Cohesion
- Declining institutional trust: Institutional distrust was a global trend, with 40% of respondents in 45 countries having no trust in their institutions by the early 2020s (30% in the 1990s). Younger generations are even less trusting, suggesting a long-term crisis.
- Digital divide: Technology may provide a conduit for collective action. However, misinformation and unequal access exacerbate polarization. The report calls for policies to ensure that digital tools promote inclusion, not fragmentation.
Policy Recommendations
A. Equity-Driven Investments
- Education and healthcare: Prioritize universal access to quality services, addressing disparities by income, gender, and ethnicity (e.g., secondary school attendance gaps persist for rural and marginalized groups).
- Housing and clean energy: Expand affordable housing programs and accelerate clean energy transitions to reduce spatial and climate inequalities.
B. Social Protection and Labor Reforms
- Strengthen life-course social protection systems, including unemployment benefits, pensions, and disability support. For example, Germany’s labor market reforms reduced informal employment through upskilling initiatives.
- Promote progressive taxation to fund social programs and reduce wealth concentration. Fiscal policies in middle-income countries could raise social spending by 2–4% of GDP without unsustainable debt.
C. Rebuilding Trust through Inclusive Institutions
- Enhance transparency in tax spending and policy design. Countries with higher perceived fairness in resource allocation report stronger public trust.
- Adopt participatory approaches like the Problem-Driven Iterative Adaptation (PDIA) method to build state capability and community buy-in.
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Summary by: Asmita Basnet (Intern)
