Ensuring that everyone has a fair chance to succeed in life constitutes a fundamental principle of democracy, as well as an important source of economic growth and social inclusion. A new flagship OECD report, To Have and Have Not – How to Bridge the Gap in Opportunities, offers important new evidence on the way in which opportunities are distributed across OECD countries. In doing so, it aims to inform public debates on an issue of high relevance and help design effective policies that can ensure a more level playing field for all. This policy brief provides a condensed overview of the main insights and findings from this report.
The policy brief explains why and how inequality of opportunity should be measured. It sheds light on some of the key questions covered in the report, including (i) how fairly are opportunities distributed in OECD countries; (ii) which circumstances play the largest role in shaping economic outcomes and for whom; (iii) what is the role of place and how are economic opportunities shaped by geographic divides in access to education, employment, infrastructure and essential services; and (iv) how can policy contribute to a more level playing field.
