Inequality weakens local governance and public satisfaction, study finds

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Local governments in developing countries are crucial for providing public services that promote human development and address challenges like extreme weather, unemployment and crumbling infrastructure. Yet, they often face difficulties in implementing cost-effective programs that meet citizens' diverse needs, particularly in areas with significant socioeconomic inequalities.

A recent study, published in World Development and led by University of Notre Dame researcher Krister Andersson, explored the impact of economic and social inequalities on local government performance in Chile (a country with very high socioeconomic inequalities). Specifically, the paper assessed the effectiveness of external policies to alleviate the negative effects of inequality on the quality of local public services.

The study found that socioeconomic inequalities pose significant challenges for local governance, often trapping local governments in a cycle of limited resources, rising inequality and declining capacity to meet citizens' needs.

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