Just 0.001% hold three times the wealth of poorest half of humanity, report finds

People protest against extreme wealth in London. The report found that in almost every region, the top 1% was wealthier than the bottom 90% combined.
Photograph: Wiktor Szymanowicz/Future Publishing/Getty Images

Fewer than 60,000 people – 0.001% of the world’s population – control three times as much wealth as the entire bottom half of humanity, according to a report that argues global inequality has reached such extremes that urgent action has become essential.

The authoritative World Inequality Report 2026, based on data compiled by 200 researchers, also found that the top 10% of income-earners earn more than the other 90% combined, while the poorest half captures less than 10% of total global earnings.