A recent Pew Research Center survey across 36 nations highlights a deep and widespread concern over economic inequality, with the intersection of wealth and political power emerging as a primary factor driving this global issue. Conducted in spring 2024, the study reveals both the anxieties people share about the current state of inequality and the grim economic outlook for future generations.

The survey found that a median of 54 percent of adults across the nations polled view the gap between the rich and the poor as a "very big problem," with another 30 percent considering it a moderately significant issue. A central theme identified by respondents is the undue political influence of the wealthy. A median of 60 percent believe that the power wielded by rich individuals over political systems contributes significantly to economic inequality. This concern resonates particularly with those on the ideological left, though it is not exclusive to them. In the United States, for instance, the ideological divide is stark: 76 percent of liberals see economic inequality as a severe issue compared to just 30 percent of conservatives.

Economic pessimism is another key finding. A median of 57 percent of respondents believe children in their country will be worse off financially than their parents. This view is particularly prevalent in high-income nations. Both younger and older adults share these fears, as do individuals across income levels. In contrast, several middle-income nations maintain a more optimistic outlook. In these countries, a median of 44 percent believe children will be financially better off than their parents, compared to just 26 percent in wealthier nations.

The findings also underline the connection between economic inequality and climate inequality. Making headlines in the second week of 2025, The Guardian reported a shocking analysis revealing that the world’s wealthiest 1 percent had already exhausted their fair share of the year’s global carbon budget by January 10. According to research by Oxfam GB, the carbon emissions caused by the consumption habits of the wealthiest elite would take someone from the poorest 50 percent of humanity three years to match. The world’s wealthiest 1 percent are responsible for more than twice carbon emissions than the poorest half of humanity each year, exacerbating the challenges faced by disadvantaged populations.

Across the board, there is a strong desire for systemic change. Majorities in 33 of the 36 nations surveyed believe their economic systems require either major changes or complete reform. This sentiment is particularly pronounced in middle-income nations, but it is also shared by many in high-income countries.

The survey comes amid growing global demands to address inequality and tax the ultra-wealthy. **Public support **for higher taxes on the richest individuals has been rising since 2018, with several high-profile petitions and campaigns amplifying the call for action. In 2023, nearly 400 millionaires and economists petitioned the G20 to prioritize taxing extreme wealth. The sentiment was echoed during the 2024 World Economic Forum, where billionaires themselves advocated for greater taxation to address inequality. More recent examples include Allianz CEO Oliver Bäte who advocated for increasing inheritance taxes, while proposing higher exemptions to shield family homes from immediate taxation to ensure equity for middle-income families. The intersection of wealth, politics, and climate underscores the urgency for coordinated global action to address systemic inequality.