Oxfam have made the results of one of their recent studies showing that the inequality gap is continuing to widen just in time for the World Economic Forum which will be taking place during the next few days in Davos, Switzerland.
Results published in Oxfam’s report show that the 42 richest people in the world hold the same amount of wealth as the 3,7 billion poorest. These figures show that inequality is increasing. Last year it was 61 of the richest. In 2009, it was 380.
The report highlights evidence that the rich are getting richer while the poor remain equally if not more vulnerable than before. This situation is “unacceptable and unsustainable”, say Oxfam representatives.
Results also show that 82% of all the wealth generated during the last year went into the pockets of the 1% of the richest population. A recent survey also conducted by Oxfam shows that people wish to see governments tackle inequality and work towards bridging the income gap.
Oxfam and other equality supporters will be pushing world leaders meeting at the World Economic Forum to dispense more efforts towards tackling the situation. Measures suggested will include tackling tax evasion and boosting the pay of workers.
Mark Goding, Oxfam GB chief executive said that these figures portray the unfairness of inequality and are “not a sign of a thriving economy”. The report has highlighted “a system that is failing the millions of hardworking people on poverty wages”.
> Naomi Round
