The wealth of the 26 richest in the world equals that of the poorest half of the day

São Paulo – The 26 richest people in the world world possess the same wealth 3.8 billion poorest, corresponding to 50% of humanity. The data for 2018 is part of the global report of the non-governmental organization Oxfam, launched Monday before the World Economic Forum, which will begin tomorrow in Davos, Switzerland. The figures indicate that wealth is even more concentrated since, in 2017, there were 43.

Billionaires' fortune increased by 12% in 2018, which corresponds to $ 900 billion, or 2.5 billions of dollars. On the other hand, the equity of the poorest half of the planet was reduced by 11% during the same period. In addition, since the economic crisis that began in 2007, the number of billionaires has doubled in the world, from 1,125 in 2008 to 2,208 last year. The report also states that men hold 50% more of the world's total wealth than women.

titled "Public Well or Private Wealth?", Draws attention to the need to invest in public services, especially in education. and health, as a means of reducing inequalities in the world. "While half of the planet lives on less than $ 5.50 a day, any type of medical expense pushes these people into poverty.The guarantee of a public health service is the stable and lasting guarantee for those which are at the base of the pyramid ", illustrates Rafael Georges, coordinator of Oxfam's campaign in Brazil.

Taxation

As a form of redistribution the report proposes a tax of 0.5% on the income of billionaires who rank among the richest 1% of the world. According to the organization, the funds raised would be enough to include 262 million out-of-school children today and provide life-saving health services for more than 3 million people.

"The recovery (of economic growth), over the last ten years, has favored the top of the pyramid, it was not a method of redistribution, it was a concentrator. central role in this concentration, as it reduces the maximum rates for the very rich.Oxfam believes that governments contribute to increase inequalities by not taxing very large and very large companies and not investing properly in health According to the organization, in Brazil, the poorest 10% of society pay proportionally more tax than the richest 10%, the same goes for the United Kingdom.

"Unlike developed countries, Brazil is a country that strongly supports its tax burden on indirect taxes, which ends up weighing more heavily on the pockets of the middle clbad and the poorest. All who buy the same product pay the same price. The ideal would be to balance this, to tax income and wealth more and to reduce the consumption burden, "Georges proposed.

The organization stresses that among the countries of the Organization for Cooperation and Economic Development (OECD), Brazil is the least taxed income and equity, while in Brazil each dollar recovered represents $ 0.22 of income and wealth taxes, but in the average country, this fraction equals $ 0.40 for every dollar paid In the United States, for example, 59.4% of revenue comes from taxes on the income and badets of the population.

Increased Concentration

Georges believes that two factors can explain, the concentration of wealth in the world: the international tax war and the existence of tax havens. "The political systems, whether national or international , have some al to implement serious redistribution measures. In particular, there is a race for fiscal policy, "he said, according to Oxfam Brazil's coordinator, the international tax war – similar to what is happening between Brazilian states with respect to ICMS – "goes against" the possibility of redistribution of wealth.

Another part, according to him, is explained by the existence of tax havens. " that there are countries where no tribute is charged and that guarantees of secrecy and concealment of property and badets are offered, you will have the motivation that no one wants to redistribute your badets and your income. escape that will preserve a kind of global elite, "he said.