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Executive pay soars 54% since 2019 while worker wages barely budge

The rich get richer—literally. As CEO salaries hit $8.4M, campaigners demand urgent action to close the widening gap before millions more fall into poverty.

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The image shows a graph on a white background with text that reads "The Benefits of Increased Productivity Over the Last 35 Years Have Not Gone to the Middle Class". The graph illustrates the increase in productivity over the last 35 years, indicating that the benefits of increased productivity have not gone to the middle class.

Executive pay soars 54% since 2019 while worker wages barely budge

Global inequality has widened further in 2025, with executive pay surging while average worker incomes stagnate. A new report highlights stark contrasts between top earners and the broader workforce. Campaigners are now urging governments to take stronger action against rising disparities. The 1,500 highest-paid corporate executives saw their average earnings jump to US$8.4 million last year. This marks an 11% increase from 2024 and a 54% rise since 2019. Meanwhile, the typical global worker earned just US$17,156 in 2025—a mere 0.5% rise from the previous year.

The gap has grown even wider when compared to pre-pandemic levels. While executive pay has soared, average incomes remain 12% lower than in 2019. Progress in reducing working poverty has also stalled, with the annual decline rate dropping from 7% before 2020 to just 3% since. Oxfam has called for urgent measures to tackle inequality. Proposals include higher taxes on the super-rich and stricter controls on lobbying and political donations by wealthy individuals. The charity also wants governments to set clear, time-bound targets for reducing inequality, with regular progress reviews. The UN Development Programme has warned of worsening conditions for millions. A further 32 million people could slip into poverty due to the ongoing crisis in the Gulf, adding pressure to already strained economies.

The latest figures reveal a growing divide between top executives and ordinary workers. With executive pay rising sharply and average incomes barely moving, campaigners are pushing for policy changes. Governments now face calls to implement concrete plans to reverse the trend before inequality deepens further.

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