The social elevator is breaking down in Spain, one of the richest countries with the greatest inequality of opportunity – EL PAÍS English

Report on Inequality of Opportunity in Spain and its Implications for Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction: A Challenge to SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities)

A recent report from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), titled To Have and Have Not: How to Close the Opportunity Gap, indicates that Spain faces significant challenges in achieving Sustainable Development Goal 10 (Reduced Inequalities). The findings reveal that social mobility has slowed, with inherited circumstances playing a disproportionately large role in determining economic outcomes. This analysis underscores the persistent barriers to ensuring equal opportunity for all, a core tenet of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Key Findings on Inherited Disadvantage

The report quantifies the extent to which pre-determined factors inhibit progress towards several SDGs, including SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), and SDG 10. In Spain, the influence of these factors is notably higher than the OECD average.

• High Level of Opportunity Inequality: Over 35% of income inequality in Spain is attributed to circumstances beyond an individual’s control, such as socioeconomic background, parents’ country of birth, or gender. This figure is substantially higher than the OECD average of approximately 25%.
• Primacy of Socioeconomic Background: The parents’ socioeconomic status is identified as the single most critical factor. This perpetuates intergenerational cycles of poverty and disadvantage, directly undermining progress on SDG 1 and SDG 10.3 (ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome).
• International Comparison: Spain is grouped among countries where the circumstances of one’s birth have an especially strong influence on future economic success, alongside nations like Brazil, South Africa, and the United States.
• Worsening Trend: Inequality of opportunity has been increasing in Spain in recent years, diverging from a slight improvement seen in other countries with historically high levels.

Compounding Factors and Their Impact on SDGs

The report identifies specific dimensions that amplify inequality, further complicating the achievement of inclusive and sustainable development as envisioned by the SDGs.

1. Regional Disparities and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities): A person’s place of residence is a major determinant of their future. Including the region of residence in the analysis increases Spain’s inequality of opportunity by more than eight percentage points. This reflects significant territorial gaps in income and employment, which challenges the objective of SDG 11 to make communities inclusive and sustainable. Internal mobility data shows that individuals from low-income backgrounds in less dynamic regions have far fewer opportunities for economic advancement.
2. Generational Inequality and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth): Younger generations in Spain, particularly those born after the 1970s, face greater inequality of opportunity than their predecessors. This trend presents a direct obstacle to achieving SDG 8, as it limits the ability of youth to access decent work and contribute to inclusive economic growth.

Policy Recommendations for Advancing Sustainable Development

To address these structural barriers and accelerate progress towards the SDGs, the report highlights proven policy interventions focused on breaking the intergenerational transmission of disadvantage.

• Investment in Early Childhood Development (SDG 4): Investing in early childhood education and support systems is crucial for leveling the playing field. Such measures help offset inherited disadvantages from the start, directly contributing to Target 4.2 of SDG 4 (Quality Education), which aims to ensure all children have access to quality early childhood development.
• Progressive Fiscal Policies (SDG 1 & SDG 10): The implementation of progressive tax systems on income and wealth, combined with well-designed social transfer programs, is recommended. These fiscal tools are effective in redistributing resources and reducing the impact of inherited socioeconomic status, thereby supporting the goals of SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article primarily addresses issues related to economic and social inequality, which directly connects to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The most relevant SDGs are:

• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities: This is the central theme of the article. The text explicitly discusses income inequality, inequality of opportunity, and how factors like socioeconomic background, gender, and place of birth determine a person’s economic future. The OECD report cited, “To Have and Have Not: How to Close the Opportunity Gap,” is entirely focused on this issue.
• SDG 1: No Poverty: While not the main focus, the article’s discussion of individuals starting from “low positions in income distribution — around the 15th percentile” and their limited opportunities for upward mobility is directly linked to the cycle of poverty. Reducing inequality of opportunity is a key strategy for poverty alleviation.
• SDG 5: Gender Equality: The article explicitly mentions “gender” as one of the “imposed or inherited circumstances” that determines income inequality in Spain. This directly connects the issue to the goal of achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls.
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth: The article highlights that “today’s young people face greater obstacles than their parents when it comes to advancing in the labor market.” It also points to “territorial differences in employment” as a factor in inequality. These issues relate to the goal of promoting inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the article’s discussion, several specific SDG targets can be identified:

1. Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.
   • Explanation: The article directly states that in Spain, “more than a third of income inequality is determined by factors that do not depend on the individual, but rather on imposed or inherited circumstances such as gender, the parents’ place of birth, or, above all, their socioeconomic background.” This highlights a lack of economic inclusion based on origin and economic status.
2. Target 10.3: Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome.
   • Explanation: The core message of the article is the lack of equal opportunity. The OECD report is titled “How to Close the Opportunity Gap,” and the analysis concludes that “a person’s starting point in life continues to determine their economic future,” which is the antithesis of equal opportunity.
3. Target 1.2: By 2030, reduce at least by half the proportion of men, women and children of all ages living in poverty in all its dimensions according to national definitions.
   • Explanation: The article discusses the challenges faced by those “starting from low positions in income distribution — around the 15th percentile.” The lack of upward mobility for this group, where “progress barely reaches four percentiles” in some regions, perpetuates a cycle of low income and disadvantage, which is intrinsically linked to poverty.
4. Target 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people… and equal pay for work of equal value.
   • Explanation: The article notes that “inequality of opportunity has increased for younger generations” and that “today’s young people face greater obstacles than their parents when it comes to advancing in the labor market.” This points to challenges in achieving productive employment for youth.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article mentions several quantitative and qualitative indicators that can be used to measure progress:

• Percentage of income inequality due to circumstances of origin: The article explicitly states this figure for Spain (“over 35%”) and the OECD average (“around a quarter”). This is a direct indicator for measuring inequality of opportunity (Target 10.3).
• Intergenerational income mobility: The article discusses how “family status of origin continues to be the main barrier” and how a person’s starting point determines their future. Measuring the correlation between parents’ and children’s income is a standard indicator for this.
• Regional disparities in employment and income: The text points out that “territorial differences in employment in Spain can exceed 10 percentage points.” This gap serves as an indicator of regional inequality and its impact on opportunity.
• Rate of income percentile progress for low-income groups: The article provides a concrete example of this indicator: “Among those starting from… the lowest 15% of incomes — the average five-year progress varies greatly by region… progress barely reaches four percentiles, while in the most dynamic areas it exceeds 10.” This measures upward mobility for the poorest (Target 1.2).
• Inequality levels across different generations: The finding that “those born after the 1970s face higher levels of inequality than previous generations” implies a comparative indicator that tracks inequality of opportunity for different age cohorts (Target 8.5).
• Public investment in early childhood education: The article suggests this as a solution, stating that “Countries that dedicate more resources to this critical stage have lower levels of inequality of opportunity.” The level of investment can therefore be used as a policy indicator.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Summary

Source: english.elpais.com