inequality

Today’s World Wealth Report from Capgemini shows that times have never been better for the world’s wealthiest - since 2009 more than 4.5 million new millionaires have been created, rising to a total of 15.4 million millionaires across the world last year. Yet while the wealthy prosper, 702 million people living in extreme poverty are being left behind.

Malawi has a proud history of delivering free healthcare for its citizens, but this is now seriously under threat. Malawi cannot be the first country in a generation to introduce these dangerous fees while the world watches. 

Asia’s economic success has been paid for by poor women, who work long hours for poverty pay and do the majority of unpaid care work, according to a new report by Oxfam today.

This report reveals the widespread use of tax havens and low tax jurisdictions in the corporate structures of companies holding petroleum rights in Kenya.

Africa is losing billions to corruption, poorly negotiated deals and tax dodging. Leaders must listen to their people. They must crack down on tax dodging and maximize progressive revenues to create a more human economy for Africa.

As recovery in Nepal begins after the earthquake that struck in April 2015, there is an opportunity to ensure that reconstruction and resettlement policies and programmes are inclusive of women and those who are landless.

This global tax platform represents a step in a long road towards building a fairer and more transparent global tax system. The platform must be able to deliver tangible results and combat inequality, but most importantly, it must give the poorest countries a voice.

At the close of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund’s Spring Meetings in Washington, Chris Stalker, Acting Head of Oxfam International’s Washington office, commented on the week's developments.

Women’s economic empowerment has the potential to transform many women’s lives for the better and support economic growth. However, the rise of extreme economic inequality is a serious blow to the fight against gender inequality and a threat to women’s rights.

Oxfam is calling on the World Bank Group to put safeguards in place to ensure that its clients can prove they are paying their fair share of tax.