CEDA released a report in April 2018 which examines key ideas and concepts of inequality, including inequality of opportunity and the future of inequality.

the distribution of benefits from Australia’s prolonged period of economic growth;

whether inequality has increased in Australia during this period; and

where policy interventions could assist.

Authors and chapters

Basic concepts

Australia has experienced its longest period of economic growth in history during the last quarter century. Yet, there is growing debate about the benefits of this economic growth and their distribution, and the extent to which inequality is increasing in Australia.These are important issues because significant inequality can weigh on future economic performance and undermine social cohesion.CEDA’s report How unequal? Insights on inequality aims to examine:In particular, the report looks at the impact of key factors such as education, employment and location on inequality.It also examines intergenerational inequality and potential drivers of increased inequality in the future, from technology advances to changes to traditional employment through the emergence of, for example, the gig economy.CEDA's How unequal? Insights into inequality aims to better understand inequality as an economic concept, equality of opportunities and outcomes, and the potential inequality challenges Australia faces in the future.

Inequality and fairness

Dr Simon Longstaff AO FCPA, Executive Director The Ethics Centre

This chapter aims to explore and clarify ideas on inequality, and then explore their relationship to concepts of fairness.



Measuring inequality

Associate Professor Nicholas Rohde, Department of Accounting, Finance and Economics Griffith University and Professor Lars Osberg, McCulloch Professor of Economics, Dalhousie University, Halifax

This chapter aims to provide some consensus as to what statistics and measures are best used to quantify inequality.

Inequality of opportunity

Educational inequality

Laura Perry, Associate Professor of Education policy and comparative education, Murdoch University

Education is important in creating opportunity. This chapter explores the potential for individuals to be let down by providers if they are in certain sorts of schools or certain localities.



Employment inequality

Professor Alison Sheridan, Professor of Management, UNE Business School

This chapter discusses important trends in the availability of employment opportunities, including inequality in the workplace and inequality of workforce opportunities.



Geographical inequality

Patricia Faulkner AO, Chair Jesuit Social Services

Post-code inequality may be a signal that our policies towards such regions are failing. Should more be done? What more can be done?

The future of inequality

Intergenerational inequality

Professor Peter Whiteford, Crawford School of Public Policy, ANU

Is the wealth of future generations likely to be more heavily influenced by the wealth of past generations? This chapter explores the inequality that has arisen between age demographics in Australia.



Distributional impacts of future opportunities

Nicholas Davis, Head of Society and Innovation, World Economic Forum

Having access to the skills that complement new technologies has been an important driver of income, wealth and opportunity. To what extent will this continue to be the case in the future and what are the implications for the distribution of the benefits of growth?

Report launch and events

Melbourne: launch event

20 April 2018 Sydney: launch event

20 April 2018 Brisbane

24 April 2018 Perth

27 April 2018 Adelaide

8 May 2018 Townsville

9 May 2018

Explore more inequality content

2018 research program

How unequal? Insights into inequality is the first piece in CEDA’s 2018 research agenda that will examine the benefits and cost of economic development.

Community attitudes to economic growth and development; and

A review of the purpose of economic growth and development in Australia.

Subsequent CEDA work in 2018 will examine:Learn more about CEDA's research in 2018 here.