Opportunities for All
A Framework for Policy Action on Inclusive Growth
Globalisation, digitalisation, demographics and climate change are transforming our economies and our societies. They provide new opportunities for growth but at the same time increase the risk of deeper inequalities, in a context where these are already high. Reducing inequalities by making growth beneficial for all is the best way to build strong foundations for future prosperity and to give everyone the opportunity to contribute and succeed. To make this happen, equality needs to be considered from the start when governments design growth policies, rather than tackled afterwards through redistribution. Such an ex ante approach can help people, firms and regions fulfil their potential and drive growth, both locally and globally. By better aligning domestic and international policies, opportunities for growth can be used more effectively to provide higher standards for protection of social, environmental and human rights around the world. The OECD has developed a Framework for Policy Action on Inclusive Growth to help governments to improve the prospects of those currently being left behind. Using a dashboard of indicators, the framework presents key policy recommendations to sustain and more equitably share the gains of economic growth by investing in people and places that have been left behind, supporting business dynamism and inclusive labour markets, and building efficient and responsive governments.
Invest in people and places left behind, providing equal opportunities
This chapter is structured in two main parts. First, it outlines trends in key opportunity and future prosperity outcomes. This includes trends in children’s well-being, and particularly its evolution over the past decade, educational outcomes and opportunities as they relate socioeconomic background, health outcomes, social mobility, and trends in regional disparities and inclusive communities. Second, the chapter discusses key dynamics and policies to enhance opportunities and foundations for future prosperity. This chapter emphasises the importance of inclusive education systems that provide people with the skills and opportunities to flourish throughout life, and the importance of early childhood education and intervention to mitigate the accumulation of inequalities later in life. It also highlights the centrality of reducing regional disparities and place-based policies in the inclusive growth agenda: enhancing innovation and knowledge diffusion across regions, providing affordable housing and enhancing mobility and connectivity are key components of this regional approach. It concludes by discussing policies that create vibrant communities that can foster people’s well-being.The Inclusive Growth Framework for Policy Action on Inclusive Growth consolidates some of the key policy recommendations to sustain and more equitably share the gains of economic growth from related OECD work, around broad principles to invest in people and places left behind through:(i) targeted quality childcare, early education and life-long acquisition of skills; (ii) effective access to quality healthcare, education, justice, housing, infrastructures; and (iii) optimal natural resource management for sustainable growth.
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