Even richer the ten US 'Paperons': in one year they earned an extra $698 billion. Here is who they are
Wealth of US billionaires increases again and the social divide widens
In the United States, the gap between rich and poor continues to widen. According to a new report by Oxfam America, the country's ten wealthiest billionaires have seen their combined wealth grow by an estimated $698 billion in the past year, an increase that accentuates the concentration of capital in the hands of a narrow economic elite.
The humanitarian organisation points out that while the fortunes of the richest reach record levels, millions of Americans face stagnant wages, rising prices, and increasing difficulties in accessing health care and education. Oxfam speaks of "growth that does not benefit the majority" and "an economy that continues to reward those at the top".
The report notes that the pandemic, the digital transition, and tax policies favourable to large corporations have accelerated a process of economic polarisation that had already been underway for years. Many leading companies in the technology and financial sectors have posted record profits, pushing up share prices and, consequently, the personal fortunes of their major shareholders.
According to Oxfam, the reduction of taxes on the highest incomes and the progressive erosion of taxation on capital gains have made it more difficult to rebalance the system. In the United States, b>the wealth of billionaires has increased by 80% compared to ten years ago, while the real income of the poorest half of the population has remained almost unchanged. Oxfam points out that the gap between social classes is also reflected in the data on health, education and intergenerational mobility, with a growing number of families struggling to maintain their standard of living.
Who are the ten richest men in America
According to the latest rankings compiled by Forbes, the top of American wealth continues to be dominated by the big players in technology and finance. In first place is confirmed Elon Musk, founder of Tesla and SpaceX, with an estimated wealth of around $244 billion. His fortune is largely linked to Tesla's share value, but also to the growth of the private aerospace sector and his stake in X (formerly Twitter), which is now being restructured.
