Wealth of top 5 billionaires doubles as global poverty rises

The fortunes of the world’s five richest individuals have doubled to $869 billion since 2020, while five billion people face increased poverty. Oxfam reports that billionaires now control 70% of the world’s biggest companies, prompting the anti-poverty agency to urge governments to break up monopolies, impose wealth taxes, and explore alternative ownership models like employee ownership. The findings coincide with the World Economic Forum meeting in Davos.