Brazil shows progress in social equality

While the gap between the rich and the poor has grown increasingly wider throughout the planet, Brazil has experienced quite the opposite trend, in spite of still ranking among the world's most unequal nations. The data can be found on a report released Wednesday (Oct 29) by Oxfam, an international NGO aimed at fighting poverty worldwide.

“Brazil is among the few countries that have been successful in redressing the differences between the richer and the poorer populations,” Oxfam Director Simon Ticehurst told Agência Brasil. Among Brics member countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa), he says, “Brazil is the only one that's managed reducing inequality. As for the G20, it is the most successful county in this enterprise, next to Mexico and South Korea, which, in spite of their advancements, rank lower than Brazil.”

As a contributing factor, Ticehurst mentions cash transfer programs, like the Bolsa Família initiative (Family Allowance), which has also been adopted by other countries. Also, in his view, by regularly raising the minimum wage above the inflation rate, the South American country offers protection to the lower sectors of its economy. According to the director, the country's minimum wage grew nearly 50% between 1995 and 2011, thus contributing to the fight against poverty and inequality.

Another positive aspect is the expanded and improved access to basic public services, especially health care and education. “Investing in free public services is key to reducing the gap between rich and poor. It's also worth to note that privatizing health care and education impairs social mobility” he argued.

Despite having shown improvements in wealth distribution over the last years, Brazil still ranks among the most unequal countries in the world. “There's still a lot to be done,” Ticehurst points out, adding that “if the previous challenge was universalization, the challenge today is bringing quality to these services.”

“Advancements have been seen in the fight against poverty and inequality, but in order for these improvements to continue, it is necessary to make adjustments to social policies and basic services, especially when it comes to their quality. It is also necessary to review tax and fiscal issues, so as to change into a progressive system, in which those who have more contribute with more, and those who have less contribute with less.”

Translated by Fabrício Ferreira