The eye-opening truth about inequality

Inequality is spiralling. While the top 1% stash nearly half the world’s wealth many of us are just trying to get by. If this keeps up, we’ll have five trillionaires in a decade.

So how did we get here?

We’re seeing extreme wealth go through the roof. In 2024, total billionaire wealth shot up by a whopping $2 trillion — three times more than the year before. Billionaires like to call themselves "self-made," Spoiler alert: 60% of their wealth actually comes from family inheritance, monopolies, and cronyism. They're not makers—they’re takers, cashing special favours from powerful pals, crushing competition and inheriting massive fortunes.

This system has been rigged for centuries, and colonialism played a huge role. People think colonialism — one of the world’s biggest heists, stealing land, resources, and people — is a thing of the past. But here’s the truth: the 1% made a fortune then, and they’re still cashing in today.

Modern colonialism might look different, but the game is the same. The rigged rules and uneven playing field set up then to benefit the few, persist today. And it’s the rest of us — countries and individuals — who are paying the price. In 2023, the Global North drained $921 billion from the Global South, four times what was spent on aid.

Oxfam GB

Graph with helicopers, private jets, super-yachts, and money showing that billionaire wealth soared by 3 times faster in 2024 and that the world is now on track for at least 5 trillionaires within a decade

Who does this affect?

Everyone. But do you want to know who’s hit hardest by this? Women. They’re doing the lion’s share of unpaid or underpaid work, both here in the UK and globally. This comes from outdated gender roles and beliefs about what women can or should do. Their contributions are often overlooked, yet their paid and unpaid work is crucial to societies, economies, and businesses. Add in discrimination based on race, disability, gender, or class, and the hurdles get even higher.

Does this inequality affect the climate crisis?

Let’s not forget the climate crisis. The richest 1% are responsible for as much pollution as two-thirds of the world combined. They have the resources to shield themselves from the worst of it, while the poorest — who’ve done the least damage — are getting the worst of it: floods, droughts, rising seas.

The world's richest 1% will burn through the carbon budget by 10 January. Image shows Jan 10th on desk calendar.

How can we change things?

We don’t have to put up with a system that puts billionaire wealth above people and the planet. A fairer world is within reach if we come together and demand a system that values everyone, no matter who we are. When we recognise our shared humanity, we can build a future where everyone has the chance to thrive. It’s not just a dream—it’s something we can create by lifting each other up and demanding change. We believe in a future where there’s no "them," only "us."

What can you do?

We need to make it clear to those in power: enough is enough. We won’t accept this any longer. Governments and institutions have the power to change things, and it starts with making those at the top pay their fair share. If billionaires paid a little more in taxes (it’s just a drop in the ocean for them), that money could fund healthcare, education, fair wages, and protecting the environment.

Together, we can build a world that works for everyone. Are you in? Join the fight for a fairer future. It's time to tax the super-rich.

Let’s create a world that works for all of us.