12 October 2016: The UN Development Programme’s (UNDP) Regional Human Development Report (HDR) for Eastern Europe, Turkey and Central Asia finds that many countries in the region face threats to human development, with rising inequalities and gender disparities. The report states that slow growth and low commodity prices are making it more difficult for the region’s population to find decent employment or access to basic services, such as education and health care.

Sub-titled ‘Progress at Risk: Inequalities and Human Development in Eastern Europe, Turkey and Central Asia,’ the report observes that the region has had relatively equal distributions of income and access to social disparities as a result of its post-socialist background. The report notes, however, that this history of relative equality is in danger of being lost, pointing to growing inequality and other challenges, such as shrinking remittances and unfinished economic reform agendas that hinder the region’s income-generation opportunities.

The report states that 37 million people, or one-third of the region’s working populations, are employed in informal or vulnerable jobs and not fully covered by social protection. In particular, the report highlights vulnerability of women, labour migrants, Roma and other ethnic migrants, and people living with HIV/AIDS or disabilities, noting these groups are most at risk of falling behind and that official statistics do not capture this discrimination or exclusion.

“Many countries in this region used to enjoy relative job security, free and universal access to social services and smaller gender inequalities. But with vulnerability and exclusion on the rise, they are starting to resemble societies in other parts of the world,” said Cihan Sultanoğlu, UNDP. She concluded that investments in including vulnerable groups will increase the prospects of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The report recommends: expansion of care services to address gender-based labour exclusion; reductions in tax burdens on labour to encourage formal employment and workers’ rights; and expanding fiscal space by tackling illicit financial flows and reducing fossil fuel subsidies. For example, the report suggests that by capturing a fraction of illicit financial flows the region could invest in expanding social safety nets, creating jobs, closing the gender gap and achieving the SDGs. The report also calls for better measurement of inequalities, vulnerable groups and sustainability in official statistics. The report concludes that implementing these and other recommendations will contribute to achieving SDG 3 (Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages), SDG 5 (Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls), SDG 8 (Promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth, employment and decent work for all), SDG 10 (Reduce inequalities within and among countries), and SDG 16 (Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels).

UNDP launched the report in Brussels, Belgium. A launch event will also take place in Belgrade, Serbia, on 14 October. [UNDP Press Release] [Report Website] [Publication: Progress at Risk: Inequalities and Human Development in Eastern Europe, Turkey and Central Asia]