Why growth in wage inequality is a problem for us all

Research has found that the COVID-19 crisis has made many existing world-of-work inequalities worse and exposed new ones.

A particularly significant trend is the growth in wage and income inequality, because this fuels other forms of inequality. What’s more, the consequences of growing wage inequality go beyond those directly affected, rippling through all socio-economic levels and hampering economic recovery and growth.

Patrick Belser, ILO senior economist and wage specialist explains the causes of income and wage inequality, the links with economic growth, and some of the strategies that can counter the damage.