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South Asia has experienced disturbingly high inequality levels in many socio-economic dimensions across all its constituent nations. South Asian inequality is particularly unique with its high growth and general poverty reduction starkly contrasting with extreme inequality in many specific socio-economic dimensions combined with some of the poorest human development statistics in the world and deeply entrenched conflict.

The South Asia Inequality Review aims to document these inequalities and set an agenda for understanding their causes. It will ask why inequality in its various forms has persisted in the region despite concerted efforts of governments to bring about socio-economic and structural change. It will address the causes underpinning the high inequality equilibrium in the region – which could be historically persistent social and cultural factors unique to the region supported by a political fabric that may have contributed to that persistence. Questions then arise as to what kind of policy framework will assist governments in achieving a more equitable equilibrium which supports the growth and development engine and mitigates inequalities in fundamental areas of income, education, gender and many other social aspects. The project will generate a comprehensive body of literature with the support of commissioned papers from a large range of experts. We envisage the Review will assist in policy making and inform large scale changes needed in the region for the current growth trajectory to be accompanied by equalising policies.