Sharp increase in global inequality: 60,000 people hold half of the world’s wealth

According to Euronews, a new international report warns that fewer than 60,000 of the world’s wealthiest individuals – roughly the size of a football stadium – hold more wealth than half of the global population.

The “Global Inequality Report 2026,” based on data collected by 200 researchers, highlights severe gaps in income and wealth, which have also translated into political inequality.

The report states that this ultra-wealthy minority, constituting only 0.001% of the world’s population, is three times wealthier than half of humanity.

This inequality is evident not only in economic terms but also politically, as this small global group wields significant influence over major decisions.

While most people face rising taxes, the report shows that the effective tax rate for billionaires and ultra-wealthy individuals has declined, undermining fiscal justice and depriving societies of the resources needed for education, healthcare, and climate action.

For example, middle-class workers like teachers and engineers pay a higher share of their income in taxes than billionaires who accumulate wealth through capital gains or external structures, reflecting a growing gap between financial capacity and contribution to public responsibilities.

The report also highlights gender inequality in the labor market: reductions in formal working hours have mostly benefited men, while overall work pressure on women remains high, indicating that improved working conditions do not automatically lead to gender equality.

Globally, women earn only about one-third of total labor income, and no region has achieved a 50-50 balance between men and women. The gap is most pronounced in South Asia, the Middle East, and parts of Africa, where women receive less than a quarter of total working income.

The authors stress that these widespread inequalities threaten social and economic justice, severely constrain sustainable development, education, and public service improvements worldwide, and recommend policies to reduce wealth and income gaps, including fair taxation and expanded economic opportunities for women.

Source: Tasnim