Economic inequality does not equate to poor well-being or mental health

A meta-analysis of 168 studies covering more than 11 million people found no reliable link between economic inequality and well-being or mental health. In other words, living in a place that has large gaps between the rich and poor does not affect these outcomes, with implications for policy. Previous correlations of inequality with mental-health problems might have been affected by publication bias.

Publication Details

Journal
Nature
Published
2025-12-31
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-025-03833-8
Primary Topic
Employment and Welfare Studies
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00
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article

Economic inequality does not equate to poor well-being or mental health

Nature
Employment and Welfare Studies
article

Economic inequality does not equate to poor well-being or mental health

article en

Abstract

A meta-analysis of 168 studies covering more than 11 million people found no reliable link between economic inequality and well-being or mental health. In other words, living in a place that has large gaps between the rich and poor does not affect these outcomes, with implications for policy. Previous correlations of inequality with mental-health problems might have been affected by publication bias.

Nature
No poverty
Openalex Percentile: Top 22%
Employment and Welfare Studies
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Economic inequality does not equate to poor well-being or mental health · Nature (2025) | TGRS Research Map | TGRS