Shared Prosperity & Social Justice: The World Happiness Foundation’s Position on SDG 10

Introduction

Inequality – the vast gap in wealth, opportunity, and power both within and between countries – stands as one of the defining challenges of our time. Even as the world made economic gains in recent decades, the benefits have been distributed unevenly, leaving billions behind. Today, 65% of the global population lives in countries where income inequality is rising, a trend that threatens social stability and collective well-being. The United Nations has warned of a “global social crisis” fueled by staggering disparities, declining trust, and social fragmentation. In this context, Sustainable Development Goal 10 (Reduced Inequalities) is not just a target but a moral imperative – to “leave no one behind” in pursuit of a more just and inclusive world. The World Happiness Foundation (WHF) fully embraces this goal, viewing it through the lens of our core mission: fostering global happiness, well-being, and fundamental peace. We believe that achieving SDG 10 requires reframing our mindset from one of scarcity and competition to one of abundance and solidarity, in line with our vision of 10 billion free, conscious, and happy people by 2050. By adopting an abundance mindset and the principles of Happytalism, we can create a world of Shared Prosperity & Social Justice – “a world where wealth and opportunities are shared more equally across all people and nations”, as our reframed Goal 10 envisions. In this position paper, we outline the Foundation’s perspective on SDG 10: why reducing inequality is essential for human happiness and peace, and how embracing generosity, inclusion, and collective well-being can enhance prosperity for everyone.

Beyond Zero-Sum Thinking: Embracing Abundance in Tackling Inequality

Traditional approaches to inequality often assume a zero-sum game – a view rooted in a scarcity mindset. In a scarcity mindset, life is seen as a finite pie: if one group gains a larger slice, others must get a smaller slice. This mindset breeds fear and competition: people and nations cling to what they have and may even resist others’ progress, believing “there isn’t enough for everyone”. Indeed, the very language of “reducing inequalities” can imply taking from some to give to others, which can trigger defensive attitudes among the powerful. The World Happiness Foundation rejects this zero-sum framing. Instead, we advocate for an abundance mindset in addressing inequality – a recognition that improving life for one group does not come at the expense of another, but in fact creates new opportunities and stability for all. As WHF founder Luis Gallardo observes, “a scarcity mindset creates limitations, whereas an abundance mindset allows us to think big and set bold goals”. An abundance approach

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