As the World Social Report 2025 highlights, the world is facing a multitude of complex social crises that are destabilizing societies worldwide. Economic insecurity, staggering levels of inequality, declining social trust, and social fragmentation are threatening communities and demanding immediate, decisive policy action.
- Economic insecurity: A major challenge facing many people worldwide
- Staggering levels of inequality: A significant obstacle to social cohesion
- Declining social trust: A major concern for governments and international communities
- Social fragmentation: A threat to global peace and stability
Despite significant gains in poverty reduction, many people are still living in precarious circumstances. Over 2.8 billion people, or nearly a third of the global population, live on less than $2.15 a day. This precarious situation can be a major setback, and any reprieve is often temporary.
- Employment precariousness is widespread, deepening economic uncertainties
- Over 60% of people globally are concerned about losing their jobs and being unable to find new ones
- 65% of the world’s population lives in countries where income inequality is growing
The World Social Report 2025 emphasizes that these social challenges run deep and have been building over decades. The report highlights that inequality, insecurity, and deep distrust are widespread across the world. Countless people are struggling to make ends meet while wealth and power are concentrated at the top.
“As highlighted in this year’s World Social Report, inequality, insecurity and deep distrust are rife across the world. Countless people are struggling to make ends meet while wealth and power are concentrated at the top. Economic shocks, conflict and climate disasters continue to erase hard-won development gains. For too many, life is marked by uncertainty and insecurity, which, in turn, are fuelling frustration and deepening divisions,” said United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres.
The report calls for a new policy consensus anchored in three principles: equity, economic security for all, and solidarity. These principles are essential to strengthening the three dimensions of sustainable development: social inclusion, economic growth, and environmental sustainability.
| Principle | Description |
|---|---|
| Equity | Ensuring that everyone has access to opportunities and resources |
| Economic Security for All | Providing a safety net for everyone and ensuring economic stability |
| Solidarity | Fostering a sense of community and shared responsibility |
The report emphasizes that overcoming these challenges will require fundamental shifts in policy, institutions, norms, and mindsets. Governments and the international community must critically evaluate how economic and social policies are falling short or even exacerbating insecurity.
- The World Social Report 2025 is the flagship publication of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) on social development issues
- The report serves as a background document for discussion and policy analysis of socio-economic matters at the intergovernmental level
- The 2025 report is the first to be co-produced with the United Nations University World Institute for Development Economics Research (UNU-WIDER)
- The collaboration brings new research insights into the report, particularly on the far-reaching impacts of inequality and declining trust
The report is available on the UN DESA website: https://social.desa.un.org/issues/world-social-report
The World Social Report 2025 provides a comprehensive analysis of the complex social crises facing the world today. The report highlights the need for immediate, decisive policy action to address these challenges and ensures that everyone has access to opportunities and resources. By working together, governments, international communities, and civil society can ensure that no one is left behind and that the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are achieved.
Restoring Trust and Social Cohesion
Restoring trust and social cohesion demands transformative solutions. The report emphasizes that these social challenges run deep and have been building over decades. The report highlights that inequality, insecurity, and deep distrust are widespread across the world.
- The rapid spread of misinformation and disinformation is exacerbating these troubling trends
- The World Social Report 2025 emphasizes that governments and the international community must critically evaluate how economic and social policies are falling short or even exacerbating insecurity
- The report calls for an assessment of policy approaches and the development of new solutions
The report is available on the UN DESA website: https://social.desa.un.org/issues/world-social-report
About the World Social Report
The World Social Report is the flagship publication of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) on social development issues. It serves as a background document for discussion and policy analysis of socio-economic matters at the intergovernmental level.
The 2025 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.
Thematic papers supporting the World Social Report 2025 are also available on the UN DESA website: https://social.desa.un.org/issues/world-social-report
Thematic Papers Supporting the World Social Report 2025
The thematic papers provide in-depth analysis on various social development issues. They offer new perspectives and insights into the challenges facing the world today.
- The papers cover topics such as poverty, inequality, education, and climate change
- They offer practical recommendations for policymakers and stakeholders
- They provide a framework for discussion and analysis of socio-economic matters
The thematic papers are available on the UN DESA website: https://social.desa.un.org/issues/world-social-report
The Second World Summit for Social Development
The Second World Summit for Social Development will be held in Doha, Qatar from 4 to 6 November 2025. The summit will offer a crucial platform for governments to assess progress and take concrete action to address these critical social challenges.
The summit will provide a forum for discussion and debate on the social challenges facing the world today. It will offer an opportunity for governments to share their experiences and best practices in addressing these challenges.
The summit is an important step towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and ensuring that everyone has access to opportunities and resources.
The Second World Summit for Social Development is a follow-up to the World Social Report 2025 and the World Social Summit for Sustainable Development.
Conclusion
The World Social Report 2025 provides a comprehensive analysis of the complex social crises facing the world today. The report highlights the need for immediate, decisive policy action to address these challenges and ensures that everyone has access to opportunities and resources.
By working together, governments, international communities, and civil society can ensure that no one is left behind and that the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are achieved.
