The non-governmental organization’s report also shows that large fortunes will increase by more than 16% in 2025, an increase three times greater than the average of the previous five years
A report released this Sunday (18) by estimates that the probability of a billionaire holding political office is 4,000 times greater than that of an average person. Given this scenario, the non-governmental organization warns of the need to combat “extreme wealth”.
According to the report, the fortunes of billionaires around the world increased by more than 16% in 2025, an increase three times greater than the average of the previous five years, and totaled R$18.3 trillion. Oxfam International attributes this growth to the economic measures adopted by the North American president, . One of the beneficiaries, according to the organization, would have been the businessman who financed the Republican’s candidacy and even held a position in the White House. The Owner of SpaceX, Tesla and X (former Twitter) became, in 2025, .
“The actions of the Trump presidency, including defending deregulation and weakening agreements to increase corporate taxation, have benefited the richest around the world,” explains the organization.
Based on data from 136 countries, Oxfam International assesses that “as economic resources become unequally distributed, so does political power”, which consequently leads to results that “more reflect the preferences of high-income groups”. As of 2023, more than 11% of billionaires hold government positions worldwide. An example presented by the organization was Najib Mikati, considered the richest man in Lebanon, who was appointed prime minister of the country on three different occasions, despite little popular and party support.
The report also shows that, in a survey carried out with more than 2,300 millionaires from members of the G20, more than half of those interviewed consider that “extreme wealth is a ‘threat to democracy’”. Another study carried out in 36 countries reveals that 86% of those interviewed agreed with the statement that “the rich have a lot of political influence”.
“Economic inequality plays an important role in the deterioration of rights and political freedom and creates fertile ground for the rise of authoritarianism,” says Oxfam International. The organization bases its claim on research that “analyzed 23 episodes of democratic erosion in 22 countries” and found that nations with the highest level of social inequality are “seven times more likely” to face oppressive systems than more egalitarian states.
“A more egalitarian country, like Sweden, has a 4% chance of democratic backsliding, the United States has 8.4%, while in a highly unequal nation, like South Africa, the risk is 31%,” says the entity. Oxfam International adds that social inequality “undermines trust in institutions, fuels polarization and reduces the political participation of citizens with less wealth”.
Another problem with income concentration highlighted by Oxfam International is the dominance of the media by billionaires and the super-rich. According to the report, the group owns more than half of the world’s communications companies. The entity also exposed that owners of large fortunes control almost 90% of the “generative artificial intelligence chatbots market”.
To address “extreme wealth” and its effects, Oxfam International proposed:
- Taxation of large fortunes;
- Regulation of lobbys between governments and large companies;
- Limit financing of campaigns and political activities;
- Independence of the media.
Poverty reduction slows down
The Oxfam International report also shows that poverty reduction in the world has slowed “to a near halt”. According to the document, the indices are at the same level as in 2019, with a greater increase in . The organization recalls that, “at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic”, social inequality rates rose the most since 1990. However, the current scenario of “trade tensions” at the international level could “deepen” social differences even further.
In 2022, according to the 3.83 billion people lived in poverty. That is, around 48% of the world’s population.
Oxfam International estimates that, if the trend continues, 2.9 billion people will continue to live in poverty in 2050. That is, one third of the global population.
According to the entity, women, “racialized communities” and people with disabilities are the groups most affected by social inequality. “[Eles] they predominate in jobs with the lowest wages and least protection and are less likely to have land rights”, he explains.
In addition to income, the organization draws attention to the . In 2024, around 2.3 billion people faced moderate or severe vulnerability. “Since 2021, food prices have increased more sharply than other goods and services, far outpacing wage growth during this period, which represents an excessive burden for people living in poverty,” he says.
The report shows that, as the number of people experiencing food insecurity grows, public investment in the area “is declining”. Another sphere that is registering a slowdown is health. Efforts to increase universal coverage in the sector are stalled — with about 2 billion people facing expenses that exceed 10% in 2023. By contrast, big pharmaceutical companies are reporting high profits.
