An alarming new report by international charity Oxfam has revealed that the world’s 12 richest individuals now possess wealth equal to that of more than four billion people combined, highlighting a deepening global economic divide.
According to the report, global billionaire wealth reached a record high in 2025, with the total number of billionaires worldwide exceeding 3,000. The combined wealth of billionaires rose by 16.2 percent over the past year, reaching an estimated $18.3 trillion.
Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk topped the list as the world’s richest person, followed by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, LVMH chief Bernard Arnault, and renowned investor Warren Buffett.
Oxfam strongly criticized economic policies promoted by former U.S. President Donald Trump, including deregulation, weakened global corporate tax agreements, and incentives favoring large investors. The organization said such policies have disproportionately benefited the ultra-wealthy.
The report warned that rising economic inequality poses serious political risks, as wealth increasingly translates into political influence, undermining democratic freedoms and public rights.
Oxfam Executive Director Amitabh Behar urged governments to reform tax systems, improve corporate transparency, and adopt policies aimed at reducing the wealth gap to ensure social stability and restore public trust.
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