According to Oxfam’s CRI index, Nigeria is the least committed country in not just Africa, but the whole world when it comes to reducing the inequality.
The index rank 157 countries on their policies designed to reduce the gap in wealth between rich and poor, with social spending, progressive taxation and labour rights highlighted as the three key areas.
As the name says the index ranks commitment to reducing inequality and not actual inequality levels.
According to this years ranking, Nigeria’s social spending (on health, education and social protection) is shamefully low, which is reflected in very poor social outcomes for its citizens.
“One in 10 children in Nigeria does not reach their fifth birthday, and more than 10 million children do not go to school. Sixty percent of these are girls,” the report said
South Africa tops this year’s CRI Index with the highest score making them the most committed in reducing inequality. They are closely followed by Namibia, Lesotho, Botswana and Malawi.
While countries who are least committed to reducing inequality include Nigeria (Ranked number 1 in the world) Chad, sierra leone, Madagascar and Congo.
See full list below
Most committed to Reducing Inequality
1 South Africa (Global Rank #31)
2 Namibia (Global Rank #32)
3 Lesotho (Global Rank #55)
4 Botswana (Global Rank #83)
5 Malawi (Global Rank #87)
6 Eswatini (Global Rank #91)
7 Zimbabwe (Global Rank #92)
8 Central African Republic (Global Rank #97)
9 Mauritania (Global Rank #103)
10 Zambia (Global Rank #106)
Least committed to Reducing Inequality
1 Nigeria (Global Rank #157)
2 Chad (Global Rank #154)
3 Sierra Leone (Global Rank #153)
4 Madagascar (Global Rank #151)
5 Congo (Democratic Republic of the) (Global Rank #144)
6 Burundi (Global Rank #143)
7 Niger (Global Rank #142)
8 Guinea-Bissau (Global Rank #141)
9 Benin (Global Rank #140)
10 Congo (Global Rank #135)
