A Critical Issue Amidst Multiple Crises:
A world grappling with the lingering effects of a pandemic, escalating climate change impacts, unstable geopolitical situations, and economic uncertainties – humanity is struggling with numerous challenges. Amidst these complex circumstances, the ‘World Social Report – 2025’, jointly released by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) and the United Nations University World Institute for Development Economics Research (UNU-WIDER), has issued a critical warning. The report makes it clear that the internal state of societies is extremely concerning.
It expresses alarm that growing inequalities, job insecurity, and declining trust within societies are severely impacting global social life and have become major threats to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The report strongly emphasizes that the world is currently caught in an ‘era of multiple crises’, and to emerge from this situation, a comprehensive, revitalized global policy agenda is urgently needed.Key Crises Facing the World According to the report, the world is not only facing economic or environmental challenges but also a deeper social crisis beyond those.
Economic Insecurity and Rising Inequalities:
A staggering 60% of the world’s population lives with economic insecurity, uncertain about their financial future. Over 690 million people continue to live in extreme poverty. The most concerning aspect is that income inequalities are increasing in nearly all countries (in two-thirds of them). The wealthiest 1% of the global population possess more wealth than the bottom 95% – highlighting the extreme level of wealth concentration and the depth of societal division.
Employment and Livelihood Insecurity: Despite some progress in poverty reduction over recent decades, many people still live on the brink of poverty. They lack stable jobs and struggle to earn sufficient income. Informal and precarious jobs are prevalent, particularly in regions like Africa and South Asia. This is not just an economic issue; it affects social security, dignity, and trust in the future.
Declining Trust in Institutions and Social Fragmentation:
* Trust in governments, political institutions, and other public bodies is rapidly decreasing among people. Over half of the global population expresses this mistrust. The spread of misinformation, the digital divide, governance failures, and corruption further exacerbate this mistrust. Growing polarization among different social groups and declining trust has become a major challenge to social cohesion and good governance.
Impact of Climate and Conflicts:
External factors like climate disasters and conflicts are further intensifying the existing social crisis. In 2024, one in five people experienced a climate disaster, and one in seven lived in conflict-affected areas. This severely impacts their lives and development opportunities.
The Necessity of a New Approach: The report makes it clear that current policies and economic models, which were considered successful in the past, are insufficient to tackle these severe and interconnected challenges. Focusing solely on economic growth is not enough. To achieve social progress and the Sustainable Development Goals, a comprehensive, human-centered approach is necessary. New Policy Consensus – Three Foundational Principles.For achieving this comprehensive social progress, the report proposes a new policy consensus based on three foundational principles:
* Equality: Ensuring that everyone has opportunities based on their needs. The aim is to reduce disparities in access to basic services like education and healthcare and build a non-discriminatory society. Achieving social justice through progressive tax policies and wealth redistribution is the ultimate goal, including the full inclusion of marginalized groups.
* Economic Security for All: Protecting people from economic uncertainty by establishing and strengthening universal social protection systems like unemployment benefits, sick leave, and pension schemes. Reducing uncertainty in labor markets and ensuring fair wages, good working conditions, and decent, secure jobs for workers is crucial.
* Solidarity: Rebuilding trust among people and in institutions is key. Bridges must be built between different social groups and classes. Everyone must work together towards common goals. Increasing the participation of citizens, especially those from marginalized communities, in decision-making processes and ensuring their voices are heard strengthens solidarity.
Policies for Moving Forward:
To put these three principles into practice and resolve the current crises, the report suggests several key policies:
* Heavy Investments in Key Sectors: Governments must invest heavily in education, healthcare, and the creation of quality job opportunities. This develops human capital.
* Progressive Tax Policies: Implement progressive and redistributive tax policies to reduce income and wealth inequalities. Increase tax rates on the wealthy and large corporations and curb tax evasion.
* Universal Social Protection: Establish and strengthen robust universal social protection systems applicable to everyone. This reduces economic insecurity.
* Labor Rights and Decent Work: Strengthen workers’ rights, increase minimum wages, and ensure safe working conditions. Provide retraining for workers in the context of technological changes.
* Institutional Transparency and Accountability: Make government and public institutions more inclusive, transparent, and accountable. Strong laws and institutions are necessary to curb corruption. Increase the participation of citizens and civil society in policy-making processes.
* Market Regulation: Regulate monopolies in markets and promote competition.
* International Cooperation and Environmental Sustainability: Strengthen cooperation and coordination among countries to address global challenges like climate change and pandemics. Provide support to developing countries through financial aid, debt relief, and technology transfer. Promote environmentally sustainable development models and practice environmental justice.
The Urgency of Immediate Action – Towards a Sustainable Future:
The United Nations ‘World Social Report – 2025’ is not just a statistical report; it reflects the stark reality facing the global community. Rising inequalities, insecurity, and mistrust are not just social problems; they undermine the stability of economies, the credibility of political processes, and ultimately, environmental sustainability. The foundation for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals is the well-being of people and the unity of societies. If this social foundation is weakened, all other goals become meaningless.
Ignoring these crises poses a severe threat to the future of humanity. Adopting the new policy path based on the three principles proposed by the United Nations – ‘Equality, Economic Security, and Solidarity’ – is not just an option; it is a necessary requirement. Only when governments, international organizations, the private sector, civil society, and every citizen work together and play their part can these challenges be effectively addressed. By focusing not just on economic growth but also on human development, social justice, and institutional credibility, we can build a truly inclusive, resilient, and prosperous future. Heeding the warning provided by this report and taking immediate, decisive, and coordinated action is the responsibility of world leaders and citizens alike. This is not merely crisis management; it is an opportunity to rebuild our shared future.
