Why are billionaires growing richer than ever?

Billionaires hold nearly as much wealth as the bottom 50% of the global population, according to a report highlighted by Al Jazeera's Counting the Cost. AI is boosting the global economy, but there is growing concern that not everyone will reap the rewards as efforts to battle poverty stall and the middle class faces a cost of living crisis.

Counting the Cost /video/counting-the-cost/ Why are billionaires growing richer than ever? Billionaires are on the rise as the rest struggle with inequality, poverty and a cost of living crisis. Billionaires have nearly as much wealth than the bottom 50%. AI is boosting the global economy – but there’s growing concern that not everyone will reap the rewards. At the same time, efforts to battle global poverty are stalling and even in developed countries the middle class are being squeezed by the cost of living crisis. As the rich get richer is everyone else being left behind? Published On 22 Jul 2026