Quick Answer: To discuss social issues and trends effectively in IELTS Speaking and Writing, you need topic-specific vocabulary like "income inequality," "urbanization," and "intergenerational mobility." This post covers 50+ key terms, collocations, and sample answers for Band 7-9, plus common mistakes to avoid.

Table of Contents

Why Social Issues Vocabulary Matters for IELTS

Core Vocabulary for Social Issues and Trends

Collocations and Phrases for Natural Expression

Band Score Comparison Table

Social issues and trends appear frequently in IELTS Writing Task 2 (e.g., "Some people think that the government should be responsible for solving social problems like poverty and unemployment.") and Speaking Part 3 (e.g., "What social problems are common in your country?"). Using precise vocabulary shows the examiner you can discuss complex topics with nuance.

Without topic-specific words, you risk being vague or repetitive—two things that limit your score to Band 6 or below. This post gives you the exact words and phrases to sound natural and sophisticated.

Here are the most useful terms, grouped by sub-topic. Each includes a definition and example sentence.

1. Inequality and Poverty

Income inequality – The gap between rich and poor.

- Example: "Income inequality has widened in many developed nations over the past 30 years."

Poverty line – The minimum income level needed to meet basic needs.

- Example: "Nearly 10% of the population lives below the poverty line."

Social mobility – The ability of individuals to move up or down the social ladder.

- Example: "Education is often seen as a key driver of social mobility."

Intergenerational poverty – Poverty that persists across generations.

- Example: "Breaking the cycle of intergenerational poverty requires targeted government intervention."

Wealth gap – Another term for income inequality.

- Example: "The wealth gap is particularly stark in urban areas."

2. Urbanization and Demographics

Urbanization – The movement of people from rural to urban areas.

- Example: "Rapid urbanization has led to overcrowded cities and housing shortages."

Rural depopulation – The decline in population in countryside areas.

- Example: "Rural depopulation is a growing concern, as young people flock to cities for better opportunities."

Ageing population – A demographic trend where the median age rises.

- Example: "An ageing population places strain on healthcare and pension systems."

Birth rate – Number of live births per 1,000 people per year.

- Example: "The declining birth rate in many countries is linked to economic uncertainty."

Migration – Movement of people from one place to another.

- Example: "Internal migration from rural to urban areas is common in developing countries."

Unemployment – Lack of paid work.

- Example: "Youth unemployment is a pressing social issue in many regions."

Homelessness – The state of lacking stable housing.

- Example: "Homelessness is often exacerbated by rising rents and mental health issues."

Crime rate – The frequency of criminal acts in a given area.

- Example: "A high crime rate can deter investment and tourism."

Discrimination – Unfair treatment based on race, gender, age, etc.

- Example: "Workplace discrimination remains a barrier to gender equality."

Social isolation – Lack of social contact or community.

- Example: "Social isolation among the elderly is a growing concern in modern societies."

4. Trends and Solutions

Sustainable development – Growth that meets present needs without harming future generations.

- Example: "Sustainable development requires balancing economic progress with environmental protection."

Welfare state – A system where the government provides social services.

- Example: "The welfare state aims to reduce poverty through unemployment benefits and healthcare."

Community engagement – Active participation of citizens in local issues.

- Example: "Community engagement can help address social isolation at the grassroots level."

Social cohesion – The bonds that bring society together.

- Example: "Social cohesion is stronger in societies with low income inequality."

Digital divide – The gap between those with and without internet access.

- Example: "The digital divide worsens educational inequality in remote areas."

Collocations and Phrases for Natural Expression

Using single words is good; using collocations (words that naturally go together) is better. These phrases will make your speech and writing flow.

Collocation	Meaning	Example
Address social issues	Deal with or solve problems	"Governments must address social issues like poverty proactively."
Bridge the gap	Reduce inequality	"Education can help bridge the gap between rich and poor."
Tackle unemployment	Try to solve unemployment	"The government launched a program to tackle youth unemployment."
Exacerbate the problem	Make it worse	"Rising inflation can exacerbate the problem of homelessness."
Put a strain on	Create pressure	"An ageing population puts a strain on healthcare resources."
Break the cycle	End a repeating pattern	"Breaking the cycle of poverty requires systemic change."
Widen the divide	Increase inequality	"Automation may widen the divide between high- and low-skilled workers."
Promote social cohesion	Encourage unity	"Community events help promote social cohesion."
Foster integration	Encourage inclusion	"Language classes can foster integration for immigrants."
Alleviate poverty	Reduce poverty	"Microfinance has been used to alleviate poverty in rural areas."

Band Score Comparison Table

Band	What Examiner Wants
6	Uses basic topic words (e.g., "poor," "rich," "people moving to cities") but may repeat them. Limited range.
7	Uses some specific terms (e.g., "income inequality," "urbanization") with good collocations. Minor errors.
8	Uses a wide range of precise vocabulary (e.g., "social mobility," "intergenerational poverty") naturally. Rare errors.
9	Uses sophisticated, less common words (e.g., "socioeconomic stratification," "demographic dividend") with perfect collocations. No errors.

Sample Answers

Band 7: "In my country, income inequality is a big issue. Many people live below the poverty line, and the government needs to address this problem. Urbanization is also happening fast, which puts a strain on housing. I think education can help bridge the gap between rich and poor." Band 8: "Income inequality has widened significantly in my country, with a growing wealth gap between urban and rural areas. Rapid urbanization has exacerbated housing shortages, while social mobility remains limited for those born into poverty. To tackle these social issues, the government should invest in education and community engagement. This could help break the cycle of intergenerational poverty." Band 9: "Socioeconomic stratification in my country has intensified over recent decades, driven largely by uneven urbanization and a lack of intergenerational mobility. The widening wealth gap, coupled with rural depopulation, has created a fragmented society with weakened social cohesion. To address these challenges, policymakers must prioritize sustainable development and foster integration through targeted welfare programs. Without such measures, the digital divide and social isolation will only deepen, perpetuating cycles of disadvantage."

Common Mistakes

❌Using overly simple words repeatedly – Saying "poor people" or "rich people" five times in an essay. Instead, vary with "those living in poverty," "low-income households," "the affluent," "high-net-worth individuals."

❌Confusing similar terms – Mixing up "urbanization" (movement to cities) with "urban sprawl" (uncontrolled city expansion). Use each precisely.

❌Forgetting collocations – Saying "solve the poverty" instead of "alleviate poverty" or "address poverty." Collocations make you sound natural.

❌Overusing "problem" – Repeating "social problem" when you could say "social issue," "concern," "challenge," or "dilemma."

Top Tips

💡 Build your own vocabulary bank. Write down 5-10 new words or collocations from this post, then use them in a practice essay or speaking answer today.

💡 Practice paraphrasing. Take a simple sentence like "Many people are poor," and rewrite it using three different vocabulary sets from this post (e.g., "A significant portion of the population lives below the poverty line," "Income inequality has left many households struggling," "Intergenerational poverty is a persistent challenge.")

💡 Use real-world examples. When discussing social issues, mention a real country or trend (e.g., "In Japan, the ageing population has led to a shrinking workforce"). This shows depth and natural vocabulary use.

💡 Listen to news podcasts. BBC Global News or The Economist's "The Intelligence" often discuss social issues. Note down any new vocabulary you hear.

Resources

Check out IELTS Active for practice tests and study materials focused on social issues and trends.

FAQ

Q: Can I use these words in both IELTS Speaking and Writing? A: Yes. The same vocabulary works for both, but in Writing, you can use more formal terms like "intergenerational poverty" and "socioeconomic stratification." In Speaking, use slightly more conversational collocations like "bridge the gap" or "put a strain on." Q: How many new words should I learn per day? A: Aim for 5-10 new words or collocations per day. Quality over quantity—master them through active use in sentences. Q: Will using advanced vocabulary guarantee a high score? A: No. Vocabulary is only one criterion (Lexical Resource). You also need good grammar (Grammatical Range and Accuracy), clear ideas (Task Achievement), and logical structure (Coherence and Cohesion). Use advanced words only where natural. Q: What if I forget a word during the Speaking test? A: Don't panic. Paraphrase using simpler words you know. For example, if you forget "social mobility," say "the ability for people to move up in society." It's better to be clear than to pause awkwardly.

Key Takeaways

✅Learn topic-specific vocabulary for social issues (inequality, urbanization, social problems, trends).

✅Use collocations (e.g., "address social issues," "bridge the gap") to sound natural.

✅Avoid common mistakes like overusing simple words or confusing similar terms.

✅Practice paraphrasing and use real-world examples to demonstrate depth.

✅Build your vocabulary gradually (5-10 words/day) and use them actively.

Related Posts:

IELTS Vocabulary for Environment: Climate Change and Conservation

IELTS Vocabulary for Technology: Digital Transformation and AI

IELTS Vocabulary for Education: Learning and Development