Equity vs. Equality — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Fiza Rafique — Updated on March 16, 2024
Equity involves fair treatment and provision of resources according to individual needs, while equality means providing the same resources or opportunities to everyone, regardless of their specific circumstances.
Difference Between Equity and Equality
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Equity is centered around the principle of fairness and justice, taking into account the diverse needs, circumstances, and starting points of individuals or groups. It aims to provide tailored support and resources that level the playing field, allowing everyone the opportunity to achieve similar outcomes. Equality, on the other hand, focuses on treating everyone the same, offering identical support or resources to all, irrespective of their unique situations or challenges.
In educational settings, equity might involve providing additional tutoring to students who need extra help, acknowledging that each student has different learning needs and backgrounds. Equality in education would mean offering the same amount of tutoring time to all students, regardless of their individual academic standing or learning abilities.
Equity recognizes that historical and systemic inequalities may have placed certain individuals or groups at a disadvantage, and it seeks to address these imbalances through targeted measures. Equality, while promoting fairness, might not sufficiently address or rectify these entrenched disparities, as it operates on the premise that everyone starts from the same position.
In terms of policy-making, equity-driven approaches often require a more nuanced understanding of the population's needs and might lead to more complex but tailored interventions. Equality-based policies are simpler in concept, applying the same standards or provisions to everyone, but they may not effectively close gaps between different societal groups.
The debate between equity and equality is essential in discussions about social justice, education, healthcare, and employment. While equality aims for uniformity and fairness, equity pushes for justice and fairness by acknowledging and addressing unequal starting points and barriers.
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Comparison Chart
Principle
Fairness based on needs
Uniform treatment for all
Approach
Tailored support
Identical support
Focus
Addressing specific needs and barriers
Providing the same opportunities
Contexts
Education, healthcare, employment
Legal rights, voting rights
Goal
Achieve similar outcomes by addressing disparities
Treat everyone the same regardless of differences
Compare with Definitions
Equity
Provides resources according to individual needs.
Allocating more funding to schools in underprivileged areas to address educational disparities.
Equality
Applies the same standards or resources to everyone.
Equal funding for all schools, regardless of their location or the socioeconomic status of their students.
Equity
Recognizes historical and systemic imbalances.
Implementing affirmative action policies to support historically marginalized groups.
Equality
Often associated with equal rights under the law.
Equal voting rights ensure all citizens can vote regardless of gender, race, or wealth.
Equity
Adjusts based on changing needs and situations.
Modifying workplace policies to accommodate employees with disabilities.
Equality
Policies are easier to standardize and implement.
A flat tax rate applies the same percentage to all income levels.
Equity
Interventions are designed to meet specific circumstances.
Offering language translation services in healthcare to non-English speakers.
Equality
May not address deeper systemic issues.
Universal healthcare may not consider specific needs like rare diseases or cultural competencies.
Equity
Aims for equitable outcomes, not just equal inputs.
Customized job training programs for individuals with different skill levels.
Equality
Serves as a baseline for fairness and justice.
Gender equality initiatives promote equal treatment and opportunities for all genders.
Equity
The state or quality of being just and fair.
Equality
The state of being equal, especially in status, rights, or opportunities
An organization aiming to promote racial equality
Equity
Something that is just and fair.
Equality
A symbolic expression of the fact that two quantities are equal; an equation.
Equity
Justice achieved not simply according to the strict letter of the law but in accordance with principles of substantial justice and the unique facts of the case.
Equality
The state or quality of being equal.
Equity
See court of equity.
Equality
(Mathematics) A statement, usually an equation, that one thing equals another.
Equity
An equitable right or claim
An analysis of the equities and inequities brought about by the current trade bill.
Equality
The fact of being equal.
Equity
Ownership interest in a corporation, property, or other holding, usually calculated as the value of the holding after subtracting any debt or liabilities.
Equality
(mathematics) The fact of being equal, of having the same value. en
Equity
Equities Shares of common stock or preferred stock.
Equality
The equal treatment of people irrespective of social or cultural differences.
Equity
The value of a brand's reputation.
Equality
The condition or quality of being equal; agreement in quantity or degree as compared; likeness in bulk, value, rank, properties, etc.; as, the equality of two bodies in length or thickness; an equality of rights.
A footing of equality with nobles.
Equity
Representing an ownership interest
An equity stake.
Equality
Sameness in state or continued course; evenness; uniformity; as, an equality of temper or constitution.
Equity
Of or relating to stocks
An equity mutual fund.
Equality
Evenness; uniformity; as, an equality of surface.
Equity
Subordinated to all other claims on income, earnings, or assets
The equity tranche.
Equality
Exact agreement between two expressions or magnitudes with respect to quantity; - denoted by the symbol =; thus, a = x signifies that a contains the same number and kind of units of measure that x does.
Equity
Fairness, impartiality, or justice as determined in light of "natural law" or "natural right".
Equality
The quality of being the same in quantity or measure or value or status
Equity
(legal) Various related senses originating with the Court of Chancery in late Medieval England
Equality
A state of being essentially equal or equivalent; equally balanced;
On a par with the best
Equity
(legal) The power of a court of law having extra-statutory discretion, to decide legal matters and to provide legal relief apart from, though not in violation of, the prevailing legal code; in some cases, a court "sitting in equity" may provide relief to a complainant should the code be found either inapplicable or insufficient to do so.
Equity
(legal) A right which accrues to a party in a transaction because of the nature of the transaction itself, and which is exercisable upon a change of circumstances or conditions; in other words, an equitable claim.
Equity
The body of law which was developed in the English Court of Chancery, which Court had extra-statutory discretion, and is now administered alongside the common law of Britain.
Equity
(finance) Various senses related to net value
Equity
Value of property minus liens or other encumbrances.
Home equity
I have a lot of equity in my house.
Equity
(business) Ownership, especially in terms of net monetary value of some business.
Equity
(accounting) Ownership interest in a company as determined by subtracting liabilities from assets.
Equity
(poker) A player's expected share of the pot.
Equity
(nonstandard) Equality
Equity
Equality of rights; natural justice or right; the giving, or desiring to give, to each man his due, according to reason, and the law of God to man; fairness in determination of conflicting claims; impartiality.
Christianity secures both the private interests of men and the public peace, enforcing all justice and equity.
Equity
An equitable claim; an equity of redemption; as, an equity to a settlement, or wife's equity, etc.
I consider the wife's equity to be too well settled to be shaken.
Equity
A system of jurisprudence, supplemental to law, properly so called, and complemental of it.
Equity had been gradually shaping itself into a refined science which no human faculties could master without long and intense application.
Equity
The difference between the market value of a property and the claims held against it
Equity
The ownership interest of shareholders in a corporation
Equity
Conformity with rules or standards;
The judge recognized the fairness of my claim
Common Curiosities
Is equity the same as equality?
No, equity involves fair treatment according to needs and circumstances, while equality means treating everyone the same.
Why is equity important?
Equity is crucial for addressing and rectifying historical and systemic inequalities, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to succeed.
How does equity apply in the workplace?
In the workplace, equity involves recognizing and accommodating diverse employee needs, such as flexible hours for parents or accessibility for individuals with disabilities.
Does striving for equality ignore individual needs?
While equality aims for fairness, it might overlook individual circumstances and needs, potentially perpetuating disparities.
Can a society have both equity and equality?
Yes, a society can strive for equality in terms of rights and opportunities, while also implementing equitable measures to address specific needs.
Is equality more about opportunities or outcomes?
Equality is generally more about providing equal opportunities, while equity also considers the outcomes and aims to make them more fair and just.
How do policies promote equity?
Policies promote equity by considering the varied needs of different groups and implementing measures to address specific challenges and barriers.
How do education systems implement equity?
Education systems implement equity by providing additional resources and support to students from disadvantaged backgrounds to help them achieve at similar levels as their peers.
Can equity be achieved without equality?
Equity and equality often go hand in hand, but focusing solely on equality without considering equity might not address deeper systemic issues.
How does equity affect social justice?
Equity is a cornerstone of social justice, as it seeks to ensure fair treatment, access, and opportunities for all, especially for those who have been marginalized or disadvantaged.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
