Topic: Inequality, opportunity and wealth

Research at the Living Conditions department explores opportunity gaps and evaluates public interventions aiming at addressing inequality and enhancing societal cohesion.

From origins to opportunities: investigating the roots and remedies of economic inequality

Economic inequality stems from disparities in income, wealth, and access to opportunities, some of which are shaped early in life and may not be considered fair or desirable. The Living Conditions department uses large-scale data to study how unequal opportunities impact individual well-being and social cohesion, and to evaluate the effectiveness of public policies in reducing these disparities.

Understanding the nature of economic inequality

Economic inequality arises from disparities in income, wealth, and economic resources within a given population, such as countries, regions, or cities. Economic inequality may be considered legitimate if it results from individuals exercising their freedoms, and it can even be desirable if it fosters incentives and motivation. However, it is less clear whether inequalities linked to an individual's background, or more broadly to innate characteristics or those formed early in life (such as during childhood, schooling, or entry into the labor market), should be deemed equally fair or desirable.

The economic and sociological literature emphasises that the study of economic inequalities must also consider how opportunities to achieve these economic outcomes are distributed, as well as the presence of opportunity gaps within the economy.

Analysing inequality of opportunity through data-driven research

The Living Conditions department adopts a research-driven approach to analysing the increasingly accessible big data in social sciences (such as large-scale surveys and administrative data), aiming to identify the unequal distribution of opportunities across populations and assess the effectiveness of public interventions in addressing inequality of opportunity. The department investigates how such disparities in opportunity influence individual well-being as well as societal cohesion and inclusiveness. To this end, the Living Conditions department is dedicated to advancing innovative research and developing data-driven tools that support informed decision-making.

Flagship Projects

Spatial Economics of Income Distribution Across Borders

Drivers of Spatial Inequalities using Microsimulation

ECG-LUX

Contribution to the biennial report on the implementation of the European Child Guarantee (ECG) in Luxembourg

Child Well-being – Phase 2

A new child well-being survey was conducted in Luxembourg in 2023, following two earlier waves in 2019 and 2021. It aims to assess how children’s subjective well-being has evolved, using a framework developed by the OECD and refined by LISER.

(LIS)²ER Initiative

The (LIS)²ER project is a joint initiative of the Luxembourg Institute of Socio-Economic Research (LISER) and the LIS Cross-National Data Center in Luxembourg (LIS).

INDEX2025

Establishment of the socio-economic and cultural index of the school population at the level of school syndicates and municipalities for 2025

Social Observatory of the City of Dudelange

The City of Dudelange and LISER are launching a social observatory to track local social changes and support a future cohesion plan. An initial phase in 2024–2025 will include a social assessment and data protection analysis.

Social Observatory of the City of Luxembourg

As a continuation of the work conducted between 2020 and 2023 (first agreement), the general objective will be to develop socio-economic diagnostics through the production of indicators and quantitative statistical analyses, possibly supplemented by more qualitative approaches.

UNconditional Social ASSistance and Unemployment Benefits

Proposing to redefine social welfare when account is taken of these conditions and by re-estimating behavioral responses to changes in taxation under the correct assumption that these two conditions currently prevail.

Evolution of social segregation in education

Investigating socio-economic and socio-cultural disparities in the Luxembourg school system

Early Childcare and Child Development: Insights from Luxembourg

Investigating the consequences of public investments in Early Childhood Education and Care services for the quality of provision and child development.

Explore all of our projects

Living Conditions