In this article, we will go over the 30 worst countries for racial equity.
Although racial equity and equality are closely related, there is a stark difference between the two. Equality focuses on everyone getting the same opportunity regardless of their race, gender, and ethnicity. Equity, however, involves going the extra mile for marginalized groups to improve their lives. It is a measure of justice since marginalized groups have traditionally been discriminated against. Racial equity acknowledges the need to ensure that the outcomes of well-being are improved for marginalized groups.
A higher diversity does not ensure racial equity. Unfortunately, many ethnically and racially diverse countries in the world are also worst for racial equity. The United States is one of the most diverse countries in the world. However, it ranks pretty high on our list of the worst countries for racial equity. It is difficult to talk about racial equity when racial equality is under question. A survey by the Pew Research Center found that about half of the adults in the United States believe that efforts to ensure equal rights for all people, regardless of their race and ethnicity, have not gone far enough in the last 60 years. In addition, whereas 58% of White adults are likely to say that the country has made fair progress in ensuring racial equality, only 30% of Black adults believe this to be true. This depicts that there is a difference of opinion between White Americans and Black Americans over what constitutes adequate measures to ensure equality. We see this difference along political lines too. While two-thirds of Republican-leaning individuals believe that the country has made fair progress in the last sixty years to promote racial equality, only 38% of democrat leaning individuals believe this to be true. Most of the people who believe that efforts to ensure racial equality have not gone far enough are not hopeful, as 58% of them believe that it is unlikely that there will be any equality in their lifetime.
Racial equity is essential for the growth of any country and society. Systematic racial discrimination, on the other hand, is quite costly for the economy. According to a study by Citibank, the United States lost a total of $16 trillion in the first two decades of 20020 because of discriminatory practices against African Americans. This makes up for an average of $0.8 trillion per year, an amount which is higher than the GDP of some of the developed countries in the world. If all the discriminatory practices against African Americans are stopped today, the United States would see a boost of $5 trillion in the next five years.
Given the costs associated with racial discrimination, more should be done in the country to promote racial equity. It seems that the business community has realized that racial equity is good for businesses and has taken it into their hands to promote it. Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:APPL) committed $100 million to a new racial justice initiative that will focus on economic equality and criminal justice reforms. In addition, the company also promised to increase its spending with Black-owned partners in the supply chain. In 2020, PepsiCo, Inc.(NASDAQ:PEP) vowed to double its spending with black-owned suppliers and expand its Black managerial population by 30% by 2025. Payapl Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:PAYPL) vowed to invest $530 million to advance racial equity and inclusion.
With that backdrop, let’s look at some of the worst countries for racial equity.
BLACKDAY/Shutterstock.com
Methodology
To curate our list of worst countries for racial equity, we used the Racial Discrimination Survey by Index Mundi. The higher the racial discrimination, the worse the country is for racial equality. The survey asked its respondents from 76 countries “How big of a problem is racial discrimination in the country you live in?”. we then ranked the countries based on how many people thought that racial discrimination was a big problem in their country. The fewer the people, the higher the rank.
30 – Dominican Republic
Racial Discrimination Rank – 47
Systematic structural racism is quite prevalent in the Dominican Republic. The people of Haitian descent are often affected by racist policies that the government implements. In 2010, constitutional reform stripped those born to parents with irregular immigrant status of the right to acquire nationality.
29 – Romania
Racial Discrimination Rank – 48
Racism against Romani people is prevalent in Romania. They are stereotyped as thieves and are thought to have criminal tendencies. There is also systemic racism against Romani people, which makes Romania one of the worst countries for racial equity. Romani people have a discriminated access to healthcare and jobs.
28 – Belgium
Racial Discrimination Rank – 49
According to the European Network Against Racism (ENAR), the most important dimension of racism in Belgium is discrimination based on racial criteria, making it one of the most racist countries in the world.
27 – Iran
Racial Discrimination Rank – 50
The Iranian legal system results in systematic racism against racial minorities in the country. The state oppresses the Ahwazi people, who have lost several of its young men because of arbitrary killing by the Regime’s forces.
26 – Sri Lanka
Racial Discrimination Rank – 51
Sri Lanka is one of the worst countries for racial equity. There is legal, political, and economic discrimination against ethnic minorities. The country’s ethnic minorities also face ethnic violence, which has claimed thousands of people in the last four decades.
25 – Argentina
Racial Discrimination Rank – 52
Racial and ethnic minorities in Argentina have a difficult time getting their rights. Indigenous people are much more likely to live in poverty compared to others in the country. In addition, they have limited access to education and social services.
24 – Australia
Racial Discrimination Rank – 53
According to a National Survey by Westen Sydney University in 2017, one-third of all Australians have experienced racism at their workplace and or educational facilities. In addition, more than two-thirds of students of non-anglo background report facing racism in school.
23 – Nepal
Racial Discrimination Rank – 54
Nepal is one of the worst countries for racial equity because it discriminates against the Dalit ethnicity. They face discrimination in every aspect of life, whether it is access to education, land, healthcare, or even marriage.
22 – Colombia
Racial Discrimination Rank – 55
Colombia has seen internal conflicts for decades, which has resulted in racism and racial discrimination. There are systematic patterns of racial discrimination in the country, and people of Afro-descent are particularly targeted.
21 – Turkey
Racial Discrimination Rank – 56
While racism and racial discrimination against minorities are not new in Turkey, the recent rise in Anti Syrian sentiments has made it one of the worst countries for racial equity. The country has been home to millions of Syrian refugees in the last 11 years, but the recent economic downturn and political changes have made discrimination against them quite rampant.
20 – Chile
Racial Discrimination Rank – 57
Chile is one of the 20 worst countries for racial equity. There is rampant and systematic discrimination against Black people in the country. People of Haitian descent also face xenophobia, and they face institutional racism.
19 – Azerbaijan
Racial Discrimination Rank – 58
The anti-Aremnian sentiment is quite rampant in Azerbaijan, often leading to racism against people of Armenian descent.
18 – Pakistan
Racial Discrimination Rank – 59
Pakistan is one of the worst countries for racial equity. Its Baluch minority is constantly discriminated against as they have limited access to education and healthcare. In addition, there is systematic racism against the Afghan Refugees in the country who resort to underpaid and laborious jobs in the country. The authorities have also recently started to expel its Afghan refugees and their children born in Pakistan.
17 – India
Racial Discrimination Rank – 60
India has a large regional diversity. However, racism and racial abuse against minorities are quite common in the country. People belonging to the northern part of the country are specifically targeted for racial abuse.
16 – Italy
Racial Discrimination Rank – 61
Italy is one of the worst countries for racial equity. There is racial violence, hate speech, and harassment against people of African descent. Racist incidents at sporting events are also quite common in the country.
15 – Austria
Racial Discrimination Rank – 62
Vienna-based civil rights group and Anti-Racism Work (ZARA) reported that at least 1,4779 racist incidents occurred in Austria in 2022. Most of the people who face racial discrimination in the country are either Black or belong to Muslim families. These groups are much more likely to face racist treatment in service sectors.
14 – Indonesia
Racial Discrimination Rank – 63
Racial discrimination against the Papual people is quite common in Indonesia. A peaceful protest by the Papuan people in 2021 was met with excessive use of force and racial abuse by the security forces of the country.
13 – United States
Racial Discrimination Rank – 64
It might be surprising to see the United States among the worst countries for racial equity, given that it is one of the top immigrant destinations. However, the country has had a history of racial injustice against the African American population, which has been institutionalized systematically. While much is being done to promote racial equity, it is clearly not enough.
12 – Greece
Racial Discrimination Rank – 65
Racist behavior and discrimination against minorities are common in Greece. Migrants regularly report facing discrimination in various aspects of life. In addition, the worsening economic conditions are also increasing hostility towards immigrants.
11 – Mexico
Racial Discrimination Rank – 66
Although Mexico is quite diverse, with a high proportion having mixed race, it is still one of the worst countries for racial equity. People with white skin complete more years of schooling education compared to those with brown skin. The same correlation can be seen in wealth and skin color. The whiter the skin color, the higher household income is.
10 – Brazil
Racial Discrimination Rank – 67
Brazil has the largest African diaspora outside Africa, yet it is still one of the 10 worst countries for racial equity. While almost 56% of Brazilians identify as black, systemic racism against them is quite prevalent. Only around 17.8% of the congress in the country is represented by black people.
9 – France
Racial Discrimination Rank – 68
Despite its apparent liberal values, France is one of the worst countries for racial equity. Racial injustice in France recently came to light after a policeman killed a 15-year-old French kid of North African descent. Civil rights groups throughout the world and France have extensively documented ethnic profiling carried out by the French police.
8 – Saudi Arabia
Racial Discrimination Rank – 69
There are countless examples of systemic racism in Saudi Arabia. Recently, its courts opened a mass trial targetting Jordanians and Palestinians with an allegation of having links with terrorists.
7 – Afghanistan
Racial Discrimination Rank – 70
Afghanistan is one of the worst places for racial equity. The Hazara population of the country consistently faces racial discrimination and humiliation. Suicide bombings and mass killings based on racial hate are also quite common in the country.
6 – Bolivia
Racial Discrimination Rank – 71
Racism against people of African origins and indigenous people is prevalent in Bolivia. They face discrimination in public and private life, and their rights are often overlooked.
5 – Trinidad and Tobago
Racial Discrimination Rank – 72
Trinidad and Tobago is one of the 5 worst countries for racial equity. Racism against Afro-Trinidadians is quite common, which often makes it difficult for them to climb the social hierarchy.
4 – Peru
Racial Discrimination Rank – 73
People of African descent are overlooked in Peru. The Center for Afro-Peruvian Studies and Promotion reports that half of Afro-Peruvians have been insulted at least once on the streets. In addition, four out of ten Afro-Peruvians have felt discriminated against in their workplace and other aspects of public lives.