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

Take Back Power protesters outside London's Ritz Hotel last week after dumping horse manure beside the hotel's Christmas tree in a demonstration against wealth inequality. The World Inequality Report 2026 found that in almost every region, the top 1% was wealthier than the bottom 90% combined. File photo: Take Back Power/PA

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 data compiled by 200 researchers.

The authoritative World Inequality Report 2026 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.