Disparity: Global Scenario

Despite an apparent increase in global growth and steadily increasing per capita income, the gap both within and between rich and poor countries is widening.

• In 1960 the richest fifth of the world’s population received 70% of global income compared to 2.3% for the world’s poorest 20%.  By 1989 the richest 20% had increased their share to 82.7% while the bottom fifth’s share of global income shrank from 2.3% to 1.4%.
• In Brazil the richest 20% earn 28 times as much as the poorest 20%.  In the U.S. from 1977-89 the average real income of the top 1% increased by 78% while the poorest 20% of the population saw their income decrease by 10.4%.

Source: Contemporary Economic Challenges and Islam, Khurshid Ahmed. Republished with permission.