Global index shows Sweden worst in the Nordic countries at fighting inequality

Sweden drops 10 places in the global Commitment to Reducing Inequality Index (CRI) produced by Oxfam in partnership with Development Finance International (DFI).
The Commitment to Reducing Inequality Index is a biennial equality index produced by Oxfam in partnership with Development Finance International (DFI). The index ranks 161 countries' commitments to reducing economic inequality. The report specifically analyzes actions in three areas that are crucial to fighting economic inequality: welfare, taxes, and workers' rights.

This year's index, which measures the years 2020-2021, shows a negative trend in the world, with economic inequality increasing. During the worst health crisis in a century, half of the poorest countries chose to cut their healthcare budgets and 95% of all countries froze or cut taxes for the rich and corporations. Sweden plummets to 20th place, the lowest of the Nordic countries, while Norway tops the list.

"An unequal world leads to increased social unrest, political instability, violence and crime. That is why developments in Sweden and the world are currently worrying. The loss for Sweden is mainly a consequence of political decisions that have meant that Sweden's tax policy is failing to combat economic inequality. If Sweden and other countries do not start acting to curb escalating inequality, the consequences could be disastrous."

Suzanne Standfast, Secretary General Oxfam Sweden

In the area of taxation, Sweden ranks only 103 out of 161. The ranking is based both on policy measures in the tax area over the past two years, and on the effects of the tax policies of the past decades that lead to increasing gaps in Sweden.

"Extreme poverty and hunger are on the rise in the world, and the vast majority of people are now struggling harder to make ends meet. We need to start talking about inequality and its consequences in Sweden. We want to see policy makers analyze and propose solutions both to reduce economic inequality within Sweden's borders, but also to reduce inequality between countries and in countries with widespread poverty."

Suzanne Standfast, Secretary General Oxfam Sweden

Quick facts from the index

The Commitment to Reducing Inequality Index shows, among other things:
- During the worst health crisis in a century, half of low- and middle-income countries chose to cut their health budgets. Half of all 161 countries in the index reduced investment in social protection, and 70 percent cut education budgets.
- While poverty rose to record levels and workers struggle with the highest prices of the decade, two out of three countries failed to raise the minimum wage in line with economic developments during the pandemic.
- Despite high pressure on government investment during the pandemic, 143 out of 161 countries froze taxes for their wealthiest citizens, and 11 countries cut their taxes.
- Some of the countries that bucked the global trend and took strong action to reduce inequality are Costa Rica, New Zealand, the Occupied Palestinian Territories and Barbados.
- Low-income countries spent 27.5% of the 2021 budget on debt repayment - twice what they spent on education, four times what they spent on health care and almost 12 times what they spent on social security.