CRII: India up six places for reducing inequality, ranks 123 globally

According to the latest Commitment to Reducing Inequality Index (CRII), India has moved up six places to rank 123 out of 161 countries for reducing inequality.

Commitment to Reducing Inequality Index (CRII):

According to the latest Commitment to Reducing Inequality Index (CRII), India has moved up six places to rank 123 out of 161 countries for reducing inequality but continues to be among the lowest performers in health spending. Norway leads the CRII followed by Germany and Australia.

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The Index which is prepared by Oxfam International and Development Finance International (DFI) measures government policies and actions in three areas proven to have a major impact on reducing inequality. The three areas are public services (health, education, and social protection), taxation and workers’ rights.

CRI Index 2022: Performance of India:

India’s overall rank has improved by six points from 129 in 2020 to 123 in 2022. It has moved up 12 places to rank 129 for reducing inequality through progressive spending. The country ranks 16 for progressive taxation, up by three.
Under ranking for minimum wage, India has fallen 73 places due to the country being reclassified as not having a national minimum wage.
Under the ‘Impact of public spending on reducing inequality indicator’, India has moved up 27 places and under ‘Impact of tax on reducing inequality indicator’, India has moved up 33 places.
India is once again among the lowest performers in terms of health spending, having lost 2 places (2) in the rankings to 157th (or 5th lowest in the world).
India’s health spending is 3.64 per cent of total spending. This is the lowest out of all BRICS and neighbouring countries, the report said. While China and Russia are spending 10 per cent, Brazil is at 7.7 per cent and South Africa is highest at 12.9 per cent.
The Oxfam report based on the index said India features among the lowest performers on health spending again. The index showed that it has dropped a further two places in the rankings, to 157th, the 5th lowest in the world.

CRI Index 2022: Other Highlights of the Index

The 2022 CRII report shows India making marginal gains when it comes to reducing inequality during the COVID-19 pandemic. India which was ranked 129 in the previous index in 2020 has moved up six places mainly due to indicators quantifying impact of public spending and impact of tax on reducing inequality,” said Amitabh Behar, CEO of Oxfam India.
Despite huge pressure on government finances, 143 of 161 countries froze the tax rates on their richest citizens, and 11 countries even lowered them.
Our index shows that most governments have completely failed to take the steps needed to counter the inequality explosion created by COVID-19. They ripped away public services when people needed them most, and let billionaires and big corporations off the hook as they reap profits at record number said Gabriela Bucher, Oxfam International’s Executive Director.

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