Marginalisation

Marginalisation is the process by which individuals or groups are pushed to the margins of society, limiting their access to resources, rights, and opportunities. It is often a consequence of unequal power relations and social hierarchies rather than a fixed attribute of a person. Marginalisation can occur at economic, political, cultural, and spatial levels and may be reinforced by laws, institutions, and norms.

Mechanisms include discrimination, stigma, and stereotyping; policy design and implementation that overlook certain populations; geographic segregation; and economic changes that reduce access to well-paid work, housing, education, or healthcare. Institutional practices, such as underfunded services or biased data collection, can reproduce disadvantage across generations.

Groups commonly affected include ethnic and racial minorities, migrants and refugees, Indigenous communities, people with disabilities, LGBTQ+ individuals, and residents of rural or deprived urban areas. Intersectionality highlights how these categories can combine to produce greater marginalisation for people who belong to multiple disadvantaged groups.

Impacts of marginalisation include poorer health, limited educational and employment opportunities, social exclusion, and reduced political participation. Marginalisation can trap individuals in cycles of poverty and vulnerability, while broader approaches such as inclusive governance and universal design aim to reduce barriers and increase social integration.

Policy responses emphasize anti-discrimination protections, participatory decision-making, targeted social and economic support, accessible services, and data collection that disaggregates by relevant characteristics. Critics note the importance of addressing root causes and avoiding tokenism, and advocate for empowerment, community-led approaches, and measures of lasting social inclusion.