ECONOMIC INEQUALITY AND ITS LEGAL IMPACT ON ACCESS TO HUMAN RIGHTS

INTRODUCTION 

Economic inequality is one of the most pressing global challenges, affecting billions worldwide. This is not only a problem of wealth inequality, but also of the way that it limits access to basic human rights. Because the majority of people do not have equal access to decent employment, housing, health care, and education, there is a practical limitation to their access to those human rights. This cycle of poverty is perpetuated across generations, limiting opportunities for upward mobility.

But there is another reality: economic disparity determines who can afford health care, who can get a good education, but in practice, economic inequality determines what kind of education someone gets, who has access to medical care, and what happens in terms of justice. That’s why this blog is about how economic inequality impacts access to fundamental human rights and discusses the possible solutions to bridge the gap.

UNDERSTANDING ECONOMIC INEQUALITY 

Economic inequality is an unequal distribution of economic assets or resources in human society.[1]

Economic inequality exists both within and between nations. Some inequality is inevitable due to differences in skills, efforts, and opportunities. However, extreme economic inequality creates structural barriers that keep people from improving their condition. 

There are many reasons for economic inequality, like:

Unequal access to education – The quality of education students have access to depends on their economic status and affects a lot of students.

1. Wage gaps – Many workers earn low wages that do not match the cost of living, making it extremely difficult to move forward economically.[2]
2. Lack of social safety nets – The government doesn’t have enough policies or support to protect vulnerable groups from harm.

• Discrimination – Many people receive low wages and are unable to move up the economic ladder.

When inequality in the world gets around powerful people, it degrades human rights of people by creating conditions where individuals are unable to exercise their rights due to lack of access to essential resources or opportunities, which makes it even difficult for people who are socially marginalized to access services.

IMPACT OF ECONOMIC INEQUALITY ON HUMAN RIGHTS 

 THE RIGHT TO EDUCATION

Despite being a right, people are unable to get an education due to economic discrimination.[3]

1. Lack of funding for public schools – The schools situated in poorer areas happen to receive less funding, and this leads them to suffer from insufficient resources, not too many qualified teachers, and outdated learning material.
2. Higher education remains a privilege – University tuition fees, living expenses, and the cost of books make higher education inaccessible for many students from low-income backgrounds. A survey revealed that engineering students paid approximately Rs 39,165 per year at a government institute, but Rs 66,272 and Rs 69,155 at private aided and private unaided institutions, respectively.[4]

• Child labour and school dropouts –In India, financial constraints are a significant driver of school dropout, particularly at the secondary level, where the rate is the highest at 12.6%.[5]

When children from low-income backgrounds do not receive quality education, they remain stuck in the poverty cycle, unable to compete for better-paying jobs in the future. 

THE RIGHT TO HEALTHCARE 

Healthcare is a right, not a privilege.[6]. Yet in today’s life, financial differences dictate the treatment.[7]

1. Quality of healthcare varies by income –While the rich can afford to go to private hospitals where they can get treatment from top private doctors and specialists, the poor must make do with the government-run hospitals. These hospitals are underfunded and always full of patients, causing differences in the quality of treatment and specialized care. Low-income individuals must rely on underfunded public hospitals.
2. Health insurance gaps – Millions of people are still without health insurance. Consequently, they either pay higher medical bills or don’t get treated.

Without access to affordable healthcare, people in poverty face preventable diseases, malnutrition, and lower life expectancy. 

THE RIGHT TO DECENT HOUSING

Due to economic inequality, safe and stable housing is a basic human need that is slowly becoming unattainable.

1. Rising housing costs – Due to the rising costs of housing, low-income families are having difficulty obtaining housing as property prices and rent have skyrocketed.
2. Growing homelessness crisis – As people lose jobs, living costs rise, and social support is lost, many people are forced to live on the street as the homelessness crisis grows. One of the flagship initiatives is the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana–National Urban Livelihoods Mission.

• Substandard living conditions – People living in poor communities live in overcrowded, unsafe living conditions with insufficient sanitation and clean water.⁸

Housing is a basic good, not a luxury. When this happens, it deepens economic inequality. This harms health, safety, and overall well-being.

THE RIGHT TO FAIR EMPLOYMENT AND WAGES 

Having a decent living and fair wages is impossible without safe working conditions. However, economic inequality makes it a problem for low-wage workers.

1. Limited job opportunities – Individuals from wealthy backgrounds have access of better education and networking opportunities, giving them access to high-paying jobs. A study from Cornell University highlights that individuals with higher incomes tend to maintain larger and more diverse social networks.[8]
2. age inequality – Women and vulnerable groups often earn significantly less than their male or privileged counterparts for the same work.[9]

• Gullible working conditions – Many low-wage workers endure long hours, job insecurity, and a lack of benefits, leaving them vulnerable to economic instability.

THE RIGHT TO JUSTICE AND LEGAL PROTECTION 

Economic inequality also extends to the legal system, where the wealthy are often more powerful than the poor.

1. Costly legal representation – The high cost of legal representation makes it difficult for low-income individuals to access justice.[10]
2. Unequal treatment in the justice system – Research has shown that marginalized communities and the poor are punished more harshly than their more affluent counterparts.[11]

• Lack of legal awareness – Many people living in deprived communities lack either the knowledge or the means to exercise their human rights in legal matters.

A justice system that favours the wealthy undermines the principle of equality and erodes public trust in legal institutions. 

LONG-TERM CONSEQUENCES OF ECONOMIC INEQUALITY 

If economic inequality continues unchecked, it will have severe consequences on both individuals and society as a whole.  Increased social unrest, which results in rising poverty and frustration, can lead to protests, strikes, and political instability.[12]Weakened democracy[13] and when large sections of society cannot participate in the economy, overall progress slows down, resulting in slower economic growth and erosion of social trust.

To safeguard from these negative outcomes, urgent action is required to address economic disparities and ensure equal opportunities for all. 

SOLUTIONS TO BRIDGE THE GAP 

Decreasing economic inequality requires a collective effort from governments, businesses, and society. Here are some potential solutions: 

1. Implementing Progressive Economic Policies
2. Increase minimum wages to ensure fair earnings. Countries that have successfully implemented these policies are Germany, Brazil, UK, etc.
3. Introduce progressive taxation to distribute wealth more fairly.

• Strengthen labour rights and workplace protections.

2. Expanding Access to Education and Job Training

Provide scholarships and financial support for students from low-income backgrounds. Government initiatives such as the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), Mid-Day Meal Scheme, Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA), and the Right to Education Act (2009) have significantly improved access to education.

3. Strengthening Social Safety Nets
4. Implement global healthcare systems to ensure medical care for all.[14]
5. Promote affordable housing programs to prevent homelessness.

• Develop unemployment benefits to support individuals during financial crises.

4. Encouraging Fairness in the Justice System
5. Provide free or low-cost legal aid for marginalized communities, such as the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) has played a crucial role in providing free legal services to marginalized communities, ensuring their access to justice. Additionally, initiatives like the Legal Aid Clinics in rural areas have helped vulnerable groups.
6. Reform discriminatory policies to ensure balanced treatment under the law.[15]
7. Supporting Public Awareness and Activism

Backing movements that advocate for economic justice and policy reforms like the Right to Information (RTI) Act (2005), led by organizations like the Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan, etc.

CONCLUSION 

Economic inequality is not just a financial issue—it is a direct barrier to the realization of fundamental human rights, affecting access to education, healthcare, housing, and justice. If unaddressed, it will continue to widen the gap between rich and poor, entrenching social divisions and depriving millions of equal opportunity.

To combat this, targeted policy reforms are essential. Governments must adopt progressive taxation, expand social welfare programs, and ensure equitable access to public services. Legal interventions should strengthen anti-discrimination laws, enforce labour rights, and promote equal pay. Simultaneously, economic restructuring should focus on inclusive growth, investing in education, healthcare, and skill development for marginalized communities.

By integrating fair policies, legal safeguards, and inclusive economic frameworks, we can build a more just and equitable society. Reducing economic disparity is not only about fairness—it is a path to sustainable development, social cohesion, and the protection of human dignity for all.

Author(s) Name: Pragya Singh (Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya)

References:

[1] Anthony B. Atkinson, Inequality: What Can Be Done? (Harvard University Press 2015)

[2] International Labour Organization, ‘Global Wage Report 2022–23’ (ILO, 2023) https://www.ilo.org/global/research/global-reports/global-wage-report/2022/WCMS_864095/lang–en/index.htm accessed 24 February 2025

[3] UN General Assembly, ‘Universal Declaration of Human Rights’ (adopted 10 December 1948, UNGA Res 217 A(III)) Article 26

[4] FLAME University, ‘Cost of Higher Education in India Is Leaving Parents Drained in Debt: “We Put Our Own Dreams on Hold”’ (FLAME University) https://www.flame.edu.in/in-the-media/cost-of-higher-education-in-india-is-leaving-parents-drained-in-debt-we-put-our-own-dreams-on-hold accessed 22 April 2025.

[5] Press Information Bureau, ‘UDISE Plus 2021–22 Survey Highlights Significant Decline in School Dropout Rates’ (PIB, 5 April 2024) https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2097864#:~:text=The%20Survey%20says%20school%20dropout,and%2014.1%20%25%20for%20secondary%20levels accessed 24 February 2025

[6] World Health Organization, ‘Universal Health Coverage (UHC)’ (WHO, 2023) https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/universal-health-coverage-(uhc) accessed 25 February 2025

[7] Consumer Education and Research Centre v Union of India (1995) 3 SCC 42 (SC).

[8] Cornell University, ‘The Rich Tend to Have More Connections Than the Poor’ (25 September 2019) https://blogs.cornell.edu/info2040/2019/09/25/the-rich-tend-to-have-more-connections-than-the-poor accessed 22 April 2025.

[9] Equal Remuneration Act 1976 (India)

[10] United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, ‘Global Study on Legal Aid’ (UNODC, 2016) https://www.unodc.org/documents/justice-and-prison-reform/LegalAid/Global-Study-on-Legal-Aid_Report01.pdf accessed 26 February 2025

[11] R (on the application of Unison) v Lord Chancellor [2017] UKSC 51

[12] Thomas Piketty, Capital in the Twenty-First Century (Harvard University Press 2014)

[13] Citizens United v Federal Election Commission 558 US 310 (2010).

[14] National Health Service Act 1946 (UK); see also NHS, ‘About the NHS’ https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/about-the-nhs/ accessed 23 April 2025.

[15] International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (adopted 16 December 1966, entered into force 23 March 1976) 999 UNTS 171, Article 26