Combatting Discrimination in the European Union

Discrimination remains a persistent challenge in the European Union, despite efforts to enhance anti discrimination laws and inclusion policies. In the absence of comparable official data sources, this report draws on survey data and the OECD Anti Discrimination Questionnaire to analyse discrimination against people from racialised communities, LGBTI people, persons with disability and religious minorities in OECD EU countries. Self reported discrimination rates are rising in many OECD EU countries and discrimination, particularly when it occurs frequently, is associated with severe effects on people's lives - constraining income earning opportunities, exacerbating housing and financial stress, increasing concerns about exposure to violence, and contributing to loneliness and mental ill-health. These consequences come at a considerable personal cost to the individuals directly affected and to society as a whole. While OECD EU countries have made progress in prohibiting discrimination and promoting inclusion, legal and policy gaps persist for some at risk groups, such as LGBTI people and religious minorities. Strengthening anti discrimination protections, harmonising EU legislation across all protected grounds, and improving data collection could help foster greater inclusion and equality.