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 fueling 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.

The report takes a lifecycle approach to the ageing process. The report looks at the situation of older persons while addressing links between population ageing and selected Sustainable Development Goals, with the underlying focus on the commitment of the 2030 Agenda on leaving no one behind, promoting equitable and inclusive ageing. The report also looks at Covid-19 and its aftermath and its effects are addressed through all chapters. The report uses a social perspective and expands analysis on the social aspects of ageing—including its implications for poverty and inequality, healthcare and long-term care.

This report examines the links between inequality and other major global trends (or megatrends), with a focus on technological change, climate change, urbanization and international migration. The analysis pays particular attention to poverty and labour market trends, as they mediate the distributional impacts of the major trends selected. It also provides policy recommendations to manage these megatrends in an equitable manner and considers the policy implications, so as to reduce inequalities and support their implementation.