Global inequality hits record high as executive pay soars in 2025
Global inequality has widened further in 2025, with executive pay soaring while average worker incomes stagnate. A new Oxfam report highlights the growing gap, showing top executives earning millions more than just a few years ago. Meanwhile, the risk of poverty for millions remains high due to ongoing conflicts and economic pressures. The average income for workers worldwide reached US$17,156 in 2025, up just 0.5% from 2024. This figure remains 12% lower than in 2019, reflecting a prolonged decline in real earnings. In stark contrast, executive pay surged by 11% in 2025 compared to the previous year—and by 54% since 2019.
The 1,500 highest-paid corporate leaders now earn an average of US$8.4 million annually. Oxfam has called for urgent action, urging governments to introduce higher taxes on the super-rich, stricter lobbying rules, and tighter controls on political campaign financing by wealthy individuals. Progress in reducing working poverty has also slowed. Between 2000 and 2019, rates fell by 7% each year, but since 2020, the decline has dropped to just 3% annually. The UN Development Programme warns that, in the worst-case scenario, the conflict in the Gulf could push 32 million more people into poverty. Oxfam is pressing nations to create clear, time-bound plans to tackle inequality. These should include measurable targets and regular reviews to ensure accountability.
The gap between top earners and ordinary workers continues to grow, with executive pay rising sharply while wages for most remain flat. Without stronger policies, economic instability and regional conflicts could push millions more into poverty in the coming years. Oxfam’s proposed measures aim to curb inequality—but their success depends on government action.
