A tiny minority now controls an astonishing 75% of global wealth, leaving billions struggling to make ends meet.
The report paints a stark picture of a world where wealth and power are increasingly concentrated in the hands of a few. While the middle class is dwindling, the richest 1% have seen their wealth skyrocket by nearly twice the rate of the bottom half over the past two decades.
Wealth and income are often used interchangeably, but they're not always synonymous. The wealthiest individuals may not necessarily be the highest earners, highlighting a persistent divide between what people earn and what they own.
In 2025, the richest 10% of the world's population owns an astonishing 75% of global wealth, with the middle 40% holding just 23%, and the bottom half controlling only 2%. The wealthiest 0.001% – fewer than 60,000 multimillionaires – now control three times more wealth than half of humanity.
The poorest have made small gains, but these are overshadowed by the rapid accumulation at the very top. The result is a world where a tiny minority holds extraordinary financial power, while billions still struggle for basic economic security.
Income inequality is not much better, with the richest 10% receiving an eye-watering 53% of global income, leaving the middle 40% with just 38%, and the bottom 50% earning meager 8%.
When it comes to wealth inequality, South Africa tops the list, with the top 10% controlling a staggering 85% of personal wealth. Russia, Mexico, Brazil, and Colombia are also among the worst offenders.
Even in wealthy nations like the US, UK, Australia, and Japan, the top 10% earn more than half of the total income, while the bottom half is left with just 1-5%. Emerging economies in Asia – including China, India, and Thailand – show stark inequalities, with the richest 10% controlling roughly 65-68% of wealth.
The data paints a grim picture of a world where inequality is on the rise. The only countries that offer a more balanced picture are European nations like Sweden and Norway, where the bottom 50% earn around 25% of total income.
The report paints a stark picture of a world where wealth and power are increasingly concentrated in the hands of a few. While the middle class is dwindling, the richest 1% have seen their wealth skyrocket by nearly twice the rate of the bottom half over the past two decades.
Wealth and income are often used interchangeably, but they're not always synonymous. The wealthiest individuals may not necessarily be the highest earners, highlighting a persistent divide between what people earn and what they own.
In 2025, the richest 10% of the world's population owns an astonishing 75% of global wealth, with the middle 40% holding just 23%, and the bottom half controlling only 2%. The wealthiest 0.001% – fewer than 60,000 multimillionaires – now control three times more wealth than half of humanity.
The poorest have made small gains, but these are overshadowed by the rapid accumulation at the very top. The result is a world where a tiny minority holds extraordinary financial power, while billions still struggle for basic economic security.
Income inequality is not much better, with the richest 10% receiving an eye-watering 53% of global income, leaving the middle 40% with just 38%, and the bottom 50% earning meager 8%.
When it comes to wealth inequality, South Africa tops the list, with the top 10% controlling a staggering 85% of personal wealth. Russia, Mexico, Brazil, and Colombia are also among the worst offenders.
Even in wealthy nations like the US, UK, Australia, and Japan, the top 10% earn more than half of the total income, while the bottom half is left with just 1-5%. Emerging economies in Asia – including China, India, and Thailand – show stark inequalities, with the richest 10% controlling roughly 65-68% of wealth.
The data paints a grim picture of a world where inequality is on the rise. The only countries that offer a more balanced picture are European nations like Sweden and Norway, where the bottom 50% earn around 25% of total income.
. I mean, who needs that much wealth in the hands of just a few people? It's like they're hoarding all the resources and leaving everyone else struggling to get by. And it's not just about money, it's also about power and influence. It's like they're basically running the world from their private jets and mansions 
️
.
. What about everyone else? Don't they deserve a fair shot at prosperity too?
? We need some kind of radical shift in how we think about wealth and power. Maybe we need to rethink our whole economic system or something...
. The fact that these top 0.001% people control so much more wealth than half of humanity is wild 
. And it's not just the US, either – I mean, South Africa is one of the worst offenders when it comes to wealth inequality 
. It's crazy to think that a tiny minority is controlling most of global wealth while others are struggling to make ends meet 
. I mean, what's the point of having all this wealth if you can't even afford basic necessities? And it's not just about money, it's about power and influence too 
.
. The numbers are stark, with 75% of global wealth held by the top 1%, leaving billions in the dust 
. It's like the system is rigged against the rest of us 
. I wish there was a way to level the playing field and give everyone a fair shot at success 
.
. We need to find ways to address this inequality and create a more just society for everyone 
.
. The fact that the richest 10% are earning way more than half of the total income in many countries is just not right 
. I mean, what's the point of having a system if it's only benefiting a select few? 
. Can't just leave people behind 
.
. And it's not just wealth – inequality is also killing us in terms of opportunities and access to basic services like healthcare and education 
.
, I think this wealth concentration thing is a good thing! Think about it, if a small group of super smart and hardworking people can just dominate the global economy and create all that wealth, maybe we should be encouraging more people to join their ranks. I mean, who doesn't want to make bank, right? 
Who's making all this cash and why is no one doing anything about it? 
.
! Why should anyone else get to live comfortably when they've worked hard enough? The whole idea of spreading wealth around just seems like a bunch of nonsense 
. I'm not surprised to see countries like South Africa and Russia leading the charge in terms of wealth inequality though - it just goes to show how corrupt and unfair these systems can be 
. We need more winners, not just a bunch of equal-footers who can't even get out of bed in the morning 
.
. Like, 75% of global wealth? That's wild. And to think that these individuals are only responsible for like 1-2% of the population... 
. There are some countries that are doing a better job at reducing inequality, like Sweden and Norway 
. And even in more unequal societies, there are still ways to address the issue 
?