OECD Centre for Opportunity and Equality (COPE)
The OECD Centre for Opportunity and Equality (COPE) is a platform for promoting and conducting policy-oriented research on the trends, causes and consequences of inequalities in society and the economy, and a forum to discuss how policies can best address such inequalities.
Its single most important comparative advantage is OECD’s experience with policy-focused analysis and policy advice and the availability of relevant fora in which policy options and recommendations to promote opportunity and equality can be discussed with national policy makers and other relevant stakeholders, such as the private sector and trade unions, and NGOs.
News and events
- Governments must act to help struggling middle class (10 April 2019)
- Event: Addressing the hidden dimensions of poverty (10 May 2019)
- Event: OECD Policy Workshop on Enhancing Child Well-being (16 Jan 2019)
See more work on inequality
See upcoming and past events
Why inequality matters
Key publications
- Under Pressure: The Squeezed Middle Class (May 2019)
- A Broken Social Elevator? How to promote social mobility (Jun 2018)
- How's Life? 2017 (Nov 2017)
- Preventing Ageing Unequally (Oct 2017)
- The pursuit of gender equality: An uphill battle (Oct 2017)
- In It Together: Why less Inequality Benefits All (May 2015)
- Divided We Stand: Why Inequality Keeps Rising (Dec 2011)
- Growing Unequal? (Oct 2008)
Compare your income
What's your perception of income inequality? The OECD Compare your income tool allows you to see whether your perception is in line with reality. In only a few clicks, you can see where you fit in your country's income distribution. In June 2020, an updated edition was released to explore how people’s perceptions of inequality impact their willingness to support redistribution and to see what areas users would prioritise for public spending.
How’s Life? Here's the story...
New data in the OECD’s latest How’s Life? report expose deep divisions in our society. Where we were born, our education, our age, our gender and our income are crucial factors affecting well-being and opportunity.
What does the Centre offer?
- High-quality reports on inequalities:
The Centre for Opportunity and Equality has a unique capacity to produce and coordinate cross-country and cross-sectoral policy analysis and data on a range of socio-economic inequalities including wealth, employment, education, health and access to public services, as well as across people with different characteristics, such as gender, age or socio-economic background. The Centre also draws on expertise from across the Organisation to help countries address the key challenges posed by the rise in inequalities.
- High-impact events that help to shape the international policy debate:
As part of the Inclusive Growth Initiative, the OECD Centre for Opportunity and Equality organises a series of high-level events and seminars with international speakers – policy makers, academics and social organisations – to discuss key policy issues and initiatives addressing different dimensions of inequality. It also partners with other research centres and organisations to organise joint events.
- Exchanges of information & expertise on inequality:
The Centre for Opportunity and Equality hosts visiting researchers as well as experts from research centres and public administrations to contribute to and learn from the OECD work on opportunity and equality. It also interacts with the Inclusive Growth Advisory Group of international experts on inequalities and inclusive growth.
Follow the debate on inequality
More videos on inequality
key facts on inequality in OECD countries
Rich or poor? A reality check
For more information, please contact social.contact@oecd.org.
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