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In this episode of Data Talks, World Data Lab CEO Wolfgang Fengler speaks with co-founder and global middle class expert Homi Kharas about new research that challenges one of the most widely discussed narratives in economics today.

Featured prominently in The Economist, World Data Lab’s latest analysis examines inequality through the lens of consumption rather than wealth. By comparing how much the bottom 50% of the global population consumes relative to the top 10%, the data reveals a surprising trend: global inequality in consumption is improving, largely driven by rapid economic growth in countries such as India, China, Indonesia, and across Southeast Asia.

Together, Wolfgang and Homi explore:

• Why consumption inequality may be a more meaningful measure of real living standards than wealth inequality
• How global economic growth is lifting billions of people out of extreme poverty
• Why the rise of emerging economies is reshaping the global distribution of prosperity
• The role of government policies, taxation, and public services in influencing inequality within countries
• And why, despite ongoing global uncertainty, the long-term trajectory for human welfare may be more positive than many assume.

The conversation offers a data-driven perspective on one of the defining debates of our time — and highlights how new global datasets can help policymakers, businesses, and researchers better understand the real progress happening across the world economy.

🔗 Learn more at worlddatalab.com
Data Talks is produced by World Data Lab, bringing global data to life through insights, conversations, and stories that matter.