CITIZEN INVESTIGATE THE DATA Unequal social, cultural and economic rights
Case Study C: Income inequality
Some areas of the world are richer on average than others, but within almost every country, income is distributed unequally. The map below shows the difference in average household incomes around the world, while to the right you will see data on how global wealth is shared. Examine these and answer the questions that follow.
Average household income
Over USD 100,000 USD 25,000 to 1000,000 USD 5,000 to 25,000 Below USD 5,000 No data
USD = US dollars UNDERSTAND
1. According to the data, what percentage of the world’s wealth is owned by the richest 1% of the population?
2. How much wealth in US dollars is owned by the world’s eight richest billionaires? 3. Which do you think is more important in terms of human rights: (a) the billionaire’s rights to their property (Article 27 UDHR)? (b) the right to an adequate living standard for the world’s poorest 50% (Article 25 UDHR)? Give reasons for your answer.
3. Can you name one country where the average household income is more than $100,000? 4. Can you name one country where the average household income is less than $5,000?
