Universiteit Leiden start podcast on inequalities
In the first episode of a new podcast series from Leiden University's Inequality theme, host Laura Jansen talks with Egbert Jongen, Professor of Economics and Socio-Economic Policy, about income inequality in the Netherlands. Please note: this episode is in Dutch.
At face value, the distribution of income in Netherlands appears relatively equal compared to many other European countries and the United States. But is that the whole story? Laura and Egbert discuss three divides. The first is between rich and poor: how unequal is the Netherlands really, and what risks does inequality bring? The second is between men and women, with particular attention to the ‘child penalty’: the drop in income after the birth of the first child, which is relatively large for mothers in the Netherlands by international standards. The third is between people with and without a migration background, where income gaps persist across multiple generations. They conclude with what may be the most important question: what can we do about it?
About the podcast
Inequality has many faces. It is not only about income, but also about health, access to justice, political power, and education. In this podcast series, we invite experts each month to discuss a different aspect of inequality. Listen to the podcast (in Dutch).
This podcast series is part of the activities of the Leiden University interfaculty theme ‘Inequalities’. Leiden University studies the causes and consequences of inequality and the promising ways in which individuals, organizations and policy can move towards more just societies. For example, we help find solutions relating to income and wealth inequalities. We study the role of the education system in perpetuating or reducing inequalities, as well as the causes of health inequalities among socioeconomic groups and people from diverse sociocultural backgrounds. Furthermore, we examine the dynamics of discrimination and exclusion, political representation, civic participation and social justice.