Many around the world were pessimistic about inequality even before pandemic
Across 34 countries, a median of 65% said in 2019 they felt pessimistic about reducing the gap between the rich and poor in their country.
Numbers, Facts and Trends Shaping Your World
Across 34 countries, a median of 65% said in 2019 they felt pessimistic about reducing the gap between the rich and poor in their country.
Spain’s public is concerned about democracy, inequality and their children’s financial future. But views of the economy have rebounded overall.
Japanese feel better about their economy than at any time in nearly two decades. But they also believe average people are worse off than before the Great Recession and worry about their children’s futures.
Despite some ups and downs over the past several decades, today’s real average wage in the U.S. has about the same purchasing power it did 40 years ago. And most of what wage gains there have been have flowed to the highest-paid tier of workers.
Most Indians are satisfied with their country’s direction and the economic prospects of the next generation despite dissatisfaction over issues including unemployment and the efficacy of elections.
The fortunes of the middle classes across Western Europe are moving in different directions. Some nations are experiencing both growing incomes and expanding middle classes, while other nations are witness to stagnant or declining incomes and shrinking middle classes, a new Pew Research Center analysis of 11 Western European countries has found. But in a few other countries studied, the middle-class shares are decreasing even as incomes overall are rising.
From 1991 to 2010, the middle class expands in France, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, but, as in the United States, shrinks in Germany, Italy and Spain
The American middle class is smaller than middle classes across Western Europe, but its income is higher.
Large-scale refugee flows and lack of progress in slowing global warming are the top risks that the world faces in the coming decade, according to a survey by the World Economic Forum of executives and experts.
Most people in China say they are better off financially than they were five years ago. At the same time, they’re worried about corrupt officials, air and water pollution, crime and economic inequality.
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