Climbing US Inequality Continues

Welcome back to reporting on news that is: significant, factual, and apolitical. And welcome back to a familiar theme. “Climbing US Inequality“, PNTP, January 2025 (Does that mean wealth and income inequality aren’t news because they’re old?)

“The net worth of America’s top 1% hit a record share of nearly 32% in the third quarter of 2025, the Federal Reserve reported. By comparison, the bottom 50% cumulatively held 2.5% of overall net wealth.” – CNBC

Wealth inequality (as measured by the Gini Coefficient) was declining through the 60s and 70s. As of circa 1980, wealth inequality rebounded from under 35 to a new record of 42. That’s data, but in real terms, it leads to workers’ share of the GDP declining, and the top 20% income earners accounting for over 58% of the economy. Watch ads to see how much luxury goods can dominate targeted markets. Why pay attention to the poor when the rich have so much more of the economy?

The US economy is being called a K-economy as one leg rises as the other falls. Such trends are unsustainable, though it may not seem that way in the short term.

“Wealth Inequality And The ‘K-shaped’ Economy Are More Striking Than Ever, Data Shows” – CNBC