World Inequality Report (WIR) 2026

Context

• World Inequality Report 2026 released in December 2025.
• Published by World Inequality Lab (WIL), housed at the Paris School of Economics.
• It is the 3rd edition of the report (after WIR 2018 and WIR 2022).
• Provides a comprehensive assessment of income, wealth, gender, and climate inequality at global and country levels.

Core Focus Areas

• Income inequality
• Wealth inequality
• Gender inequality
• Climate-related inequality
• Distributional impact of growth models

India-Specific Findings

Income Inequality

• Top 10% of earners capture 58% of India’s total income.
• Bottom 50% receive only 15% of total income.
• Indicates a shrinking middle-income group, with gains concentrated at the top.

Wealth Inequality

• Top 10% own about 65% of total wealth.
• Top 1% alone hold nearly 40% of total wealth.
• Wealth concentration is sharper than income concentration, reflecting asset-based inequality.

Income & Wealth Levels (India)

• Average per capita income: €6,200 (PPP-adjusted).
• Average wealth per adult: €28,000.
• Highlights divergence between average growth figures and distributional outcomes.

Gender Inequality (India)

• Women earn only 18% of total labour income.
• Female labour force participation is below the global average.
• Reflects structural barriers such as unpaid care work, informality, and limited access to formal employment.

Global Inequality Highlights

Income & Wealth Concentration

• Top 10% globally earn more than the bottom 90% combined.
• Top 10% own about 75% of global wealth.
• Bottom 50% own only 2% of global wealth, showing extreme asset concentration.

Climate Inequality

Emission Responsibility

• Poorest 50%:

o3% of private capital emissions

o10% of consumption-based emissions

• Richest 10%:

o77% of private capital emissions

o47% of consumption-based emissions

• Top 1% alone:

oResponsible for 41% of private capital emissions

oEmit nearly twice as much as the bottom 90% combined

• Establishes a strong link between wealth concentration and climate crisis.

Gender Inequality – Global Picture

Labour Income Share

• Women receive just over 25% of global labour income.

Regional Distribution of Women’s Labour Income

• Middle East & North Africa (MENA): 16%
• South & Southeast Asia: 20%
• Sub-Saharan Africa: 28%
• East Asia: 34%
• Europe, North America & Oceania: 40%
• Russia & Central Asia: 40%

Earnings Gap

• Women earn:

o32% of men’s hourly earnings (including unpaid work)

o61% of men’s earnings when unpaid work is excluded

• Highlights undervaluation of unpaid and care work