United Nations World Social Report

World Social Report 2025: A New Policy Consensus to Accelerate Social Progress

Economic insecurity, staggering levels of inequality, declining social trust and social fragmentation are destabilizing societies worldwide. The World Social Report 2025, reveals trends that are threatening communities and demand immediate, decisive policy action.

Despite significant gains in poverty reduction, many people teeter on the brink of poverty, even as they move up the income ladder. Over 2.8 billion people—more than a third of the global population—live on $2.15 to $6.85 a day. Over half of the global population has little or no trust in their government. Alarmingly, trust levels have been declining from one cohort to the next, indicating a systemic breakdown of social cohesion. The rapid spread of misinformation and disinformation is exacerbating these troubling trends.

The report calls for a new policy consensus anchored in three principles—equity, economic security for all, and solidarity—that are essential to strengthen the three dimensions of sustainable development.

The report is the first to be co-produced with the United Nations University World Institute for Development Economics Research (UNU-WIDER). This collaboration brings new research insights into the report, particularly on the far-reaching impacts of inequality and declining trust.

The upcoming Second World Summit for Social Development, to be held in Doha, Qatar from 4 to 6 November 2025, will offer a crucial platform for governments to assess progress and take concrete action to address these critical social challenges.

Thematic papers supporting report are available here:
https://social.desa.un.org/issues/world-social-report/thematic-papers

Download full report here.

Launch event of the World Social Report 2025

The world has seen extraordinary social and economic progress over the past three decades. Unprecedented gains in reducing extreme poverty, and improvements in material well-being have demonstrated the transformative potential of collective action.

Despite these gains, societies across the world face deep challenges. Inequalities remain stubbornly high and economic insecurity is on the rise. Many people struggle to earn adequate incomes in precarious jobs and countless families remain one misfortune away from falling into poverty. Frustration with the status quo is fuelling distrust and straining the very foundations of global solidarity.

The evidence presented in the World Social Report 2025 underscores the need for urgent action: the risks of allowing the vicious cycle of economic insecurity, inequality and declining trust to persist are too high.

A new policy consensus based on three guiding principles — equity, economic security for all, and solidarity — is needed to tackle today’s social challenges at their roots and accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals. The rationale and objectives of such consensus are set out in the Copenhagen Declaration and Programme of Action and in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Renewed momentum is now needed to translate this collective vision of sustainable development into action.