26 May 1983

Social policy and the distribution of national income

The Economic and Social Council,

Recalling its resolutions 1086 D (XXXIX) of 30 July 1965, 1322 (XLIV) of 31 May 1968, 2074 (LXII) of 13 May 1977 and 1979/24 of 9 May 1979 concerning income distribution,

Recalling also the Declaration on Social Progress and Development, contained in General Assembly resolution 2542 (XXIV) of 11 December 1969, the Declaration and the Programme of Action on the Establishment of a New International Economic Order, contained in Assembly resolutions 3201 (S-VI) and 3202 (S-VI) of 1 May 1974, the Charter of Economic Rights and Duties of States, contained in Assembly resolution 3281 (XXIX) of 12 December 1974, and the International Development Strategy for the Third United Nations Development Decade, contained in General Assembly resolution 35/56 of 5 December 1980,

Taking into account section II of General Assembly resolution 33/48 of 14 December 1978, in which the Assembly affirmed that the social progress of all countries implies, among other things, a just and balanced distribution of income at the national and international levels,

Considering that inequality in living conditions and income levels between the population groups in developed and developing countries is a major obstacle to social and economic progress,

Concerned at the high level of poverty, inflation and unemployment caused by the lack of development of social structures and, in many countries, the improper use of those countries' productive forces, as a result, inter alia, of the arms race,

1. Affirms the importance of preparing and implementing, with a view to achieving a more equitable distribution of national income, effective measures in the field of property relations, tax policy, the elimination of imbalances between rural and urban areas, and a reduction of the adverse effects of inflation, especially for low-income population groups;

2. Requests the Secretary-General to prepare for the twenty-ninth session of the Commission for Social Development a report on the equitable distribution of national income, and to include within the framework of the report on the world social situation information on its distribution between developed and developing countries;

3. Requests the Secretary-General to pay special attention in his future surveys and reports relating to the world social situation to the analysis of the national income structure in developed and developing countries;

4. Invites the Commission for Social Development to include in the agenda of its thirtieth session an item on the equitable distribution of national income.