EU rich-poor divide widens but still a worldwide low

BRUSSELS – Although the gap between rich and poor has widened in the European Union over the past decades, the bloc is a world leader in fighting inequality, experts say.Both are rated at a rounded-off 31 out of 100 in the ranking , in which higher indexes indicate greater levels of inequality.

It is followed by the former Soviet states of Lithuania and Latvia, and then Spain, Portugal and Greece. Britain and Romania - another former Soviet satellite - are next, both measuring 33.Topping the list as the most egalitarian are the three former communist countries of Slovakia , Slovenia and the Czech Republic, both around 24.

It pointed to a focus on reducing inequalities between EU member states rather than within the countries themselves. The lack of progressive taxation in some countries, in a context of economic competition, contributes to inequalities, including by undermining financing for public services, WIL said.Despite a rise in inequality, the EU fares better than the United States, it said. The bloc's education and health systems are more egalitarian and social benefits play a major role.

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