Extreme wealth inequality
The richest 10% own about three-quarters of global wealth; the poorest half owns 2%.
How this affects people
Inequality shapes health, political power and trust. Extreme concentration of wealth can translate into outsized influence over policy.
The World Inequality Report 2026 finds about 56,000 people own three times more wealth than the bottom half of humanity.
Look at what keeps the problem going
- 01Unequal returns to capital and labour
- 02Tax avoidance and weak wealth taxation
- 03Unequal access to education and credit
What could happen next
The future leaves room for choices. Compare the outlooks, check what supports them and notice where the evidence becomes less certain
Concentration persists
Wealth at the top keeps growing faster than the rest.
The future is not a timetable. These summaries reflect published scenarios and trends, with deeper uncertainty at longer horizons. Choices made now matter.
Where could a useful response begin?
Begin with a question you can investigate. Compare the sources and follow related briefings to see how the problem connects to other lives and places. This prototype does not accept proposals yet.
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