SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

Goal: Reduce inequality within and among countries

Global Context

The richest 10% of the global population earns 52% of global income, while the poorest half earns just 8.5%. Income inequality has increased in most developed countries over the past three decades. Discrimination based on race, gender, disability, and other characteristics persists in labour markets and access to services. The COVID-19 pandemic disproportionately affected vulnerable populations and widened existing inequalities.

Key Targets

Key targets include progressively achieving and sustaining income growth of the bottom 40% (10.1), promoting social, economic, and political inclusion (10.2), ensuring equal opportunity and reducing inequalities of outcome (10.3), adopting fiscal, wage, and social protection policies for greater equality (10.4), improving regulation of global financial markets (10.5), and facilitating orderly, safe, and responsible migration (10.7).

Business Contribution

Businesses contribute through diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programmes, living wage commitments, progressive tax practices, inclusive product and service design, accessible pricing strategies, equitable supply chain practices, and supporting financial inclusion. Companies face growing scrutiny on CEO-to-worker pay ratios and tax transparency.

Measurement & Reporting

GRI 202 (Market Presence), GRI 405 (Diversity and Equal Opportunity), GRI 406 (Non-discrimination), GRI 207 (Tax), SASB Human Capital metrics.

Primary Sources

World Inequality Lab, UNDP Human Development Report, Oxfam Inequality

From ESG Library

• ESG & GRI Reporting Made Simple — SDG mapping and disclosure guidance
• Practical Guide to ESG Integration — Integrating SDGs into business strategy

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Related Topics

• GRI Standards
• UN Global Compact
• Environmental SDGs
• Social SDGs
• Governance SDGs