The Gates Foundation says that inequality stands in the way of progress

The third annual Goalkeepers report from the Gates Foundation is out, and even in a year in which the world seems prey to never ending political and environmental instability, it isn’t straying from the organization’s core optimistic philosophy: Despite all the setbacks, humanity is in a better place than it once was. From literacy to stunting to poverty, the report is packed with data showing the relentless gains made in international development in the last three decades. More women than ever have access to contraception, and more than 70% of the world has essential health services covered as part of universal health care programs.