PARIS, 4-6 June, 2026: The World Inequality Report (WIR) 2026 puts India’s inequality numbers under the global spotlight, with wealth and income gaps outpacing the world average and mirroring regional trends in South Asia.
The 3rd edition of the World Inequality Report 2026 by World Inequality Lab, 200+ researchers, led by Thomas Piketty, Lucas Chancel, Rowaida Moshrif, Ricardo Gómez-Carrera released the report at a conference held at the Paris School of Economics, June 4-6, 2026.
INDIA
WIR 2026 data shows India’s top 10% earn 58% of national income, while the bottom 50% get just 15%. On wealth, the gap is starker: top 10% control 65% of total wealth, bottom 50% hold under 6%. Gender disparity remains acute. Women account for only 18% of total labour income when unpaid care work is included, vs 61% of men’s hourly wages globally. The report also flags India’s human capital gap. Education spending per child in the region lags far behind Europe’s €7,400 and North America’s €9,000.
WORLD PICTURE
Globally, inequality is at historic highs. The top 10% take 53% of all income and 75% of global wealth. The bottom 50% earn 8% of income and own just 2% of wealth. The ultra-elite, top 0.001% or roughly 60,000 people, own 3x more wealth than the entire bottom half of humanity combined.
REGIONAL COMPARISON
Europe & North America: Lower inequality than India. Education spending per child hits €7,400 in Europe and €9,000 in North America & Oceania, creating stronger intergenerational mobility.
South & Southeast Asia: India’s numbers track the regional pattern. Top 10% take ∼55-58% of income, bottom 50% ∼12-15%. Wealth concentration is higher at 70-75% for top 10%, with bottom 50% at 2-4%. Bangladesh is grouped in this regional average in the 2026 country-sheets.
Sub-Saharan Africa: Faces the widest human capital gap. Education spending is just €200 per child, a 40:1 gap vs North America, 3x bigger than the GDP gap.
Key takeaway from WIR 2026: “Inequality is a choice”. The report calls for top-end tax justice, minimum wealth tax on multi-millionaires, and an International Panel on Inequality to track policy impact. Climate inequality is also highlighted: top 10% drive 77% of emissions from private capital, bottom 50% just 3%.
Official Indian reaction to the WIR 2026 is not available. It will be added here as and when available.
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