Centre on Well-Being, Inclusion, Sustainability and Equal Opportunity (WISE)

Inequalities and lack of opportunities hamper economic prosperity and societal well-being. Inequalities loom large in many economies and extend far beyond material status, affecting every aspect of people’s lives, such as employment prospects, job quality, mental and physical health, education, proximity to green space, ability to breathe clean air and overall life satisfaction. Inequalities and well-being gaps are often the result of discrimination and other systems of oppression. WISE is studying and addressing the root causes of inequalities as well as analysing social mobility and equal opportunity, including the impact of discrimination on people’s lives and society. WISE is also analysing how mega trends such as climate change and digitalisation intersect with inequalities. The impacts of AI on human well-being and inequalities will also be addressed.

One of WISE’s priorities is to create conditions that allow everyone to start life on an equal footing. Inequalities in our societies are very often rooted in early-life disadvantage. Through the OECD Child Well-Being Data Portal, WISE is monitoring child well-being and investigating how children can be better supported and provided with opportunities to improve their life chances, and that of generations coming after. WISE is also engaging OECD countries on shaping a common vision for children’s well-being and the policy responses required to achieve their highest possible well-being. This involves, among other things, developing appropriate responses to the challenges posed by the digital environment for children's development, learning and well-being.

OECD work has shown that the road towards the SDG targets remains long, with only a few years left to implement the 2030 Agenda, it is crucial to accelerate progress. Countries need reliable data to structure their strategies and commit resources efficiently to reach the targets. Our work on measuring the distance to the SDG Targets provides a high-level overview of strengths and weaknesses in national performance, helping countries navigate the SDGs’ complexity and identify priorities.

Preventing climate change, ensuring a diverse ecosystem, preserving natural resources and other natural foundations on which people’s well-being relies needs to be fully integrated in economic policy. However, transitioning to a green economy must also be fair and inclusive. Through its Inequalities-Environment Nexus: Towards a People-Centred Green Transition report, WISE is mapping inclusive and green policy packages, outlining the main challenges, and identifying possible solutions for countries to enable them to make a fair green transition.

Strengthening well-being approaches in a world characterised by deep economic and societal transformations requires efforts and coordinated action from all sectors of society. This means enhancing collaboration not only across governments, but also improving public-private sector partnerships, and boosting links with researchers, civil society, and community based organisations among others. It also requires deeper involvement of the general public, and of specific target groups, in well-being initiatives, with increased focus on co-creation in evidence building, policy design and implementation. Through our OECD World Forums on Well-being , we are providing a vital space to foster the international debate through shared knowledge and experiences to help advance societal action centred on equitable and sustainable well-being.