The world is richer than ever: so why aren’t we?

You might find it hard to believe, but the human race is currently sitting on a pile of wealth so massive it defies comprehension. Specifically, the 2025 UBS Global Wealth Report estimates that total global wealth hit a staggering $471 trillion in 2024. That figure grew by 4.6% in just one year.

Yet, if you are like most people, you probably checked your bank account this morning and felt a distinct lack of “trillionaire” energy. You work hard, you side-hustle, and you budget, but the financial finish line keeps moving further away.

The disconnect between global prosperity and your personal wallet is not just in your head. It is a statistical reality. While the world gets richer, the mechanics of how that wealth trickles down (or doesn’t) have broken. Let’s look at the numbers to see where the money is actually going.

The math isn’t mathing for regular folks

You would expect that when the world gets 4.6% richer, your paycheck would feel a little heavier, too. Unfortunately, that is not happening for everyone. While the U.S. economy is growing, the benefits are sticking to the top. The UBS report notes that the U.S. added 379,000 new millionaires in 2024 alone. That is roughly 1,000 new millionaires every single day.

Meanwhile, the rest of us are fighting to keep up. Data from the Joint Economic Committee suggests that real average weekly earnings actually decreased marginally by late 2025. So, while the pie is getting bigger, your slice is likely getting thinner (or staying the same size while the price of the fork goes up). IMO, that hardly seems fair.

Housing costs are eating us alive

If you feel like your rent or mortgage is draining your life force, you are right. Housing affordability has officially left the building. A study by the National Association of Home Builders found that a shocking 76.9% of US households cannot afford a median-priced new home, which now costs around $495,750.

The situation is just as grim if you already own a place. The median monthly cost for homeowners with a mortgage jumped to $2,035 in 2024. I remember when $2,000 could rent you a palace; now it barely covers the interest. When housing eats up the first, second, and third dollar you earn, “global wealth” feels like a cruel joke.

Groceries or gas? Pick one

We can’t talk about wealth without mentioning the inflation monster in the room. Prices for everyday essentials remain stubbornly high. But here is the kicker: corporations are not just covering costs; they are padding their pockets.

The Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis reported that corporate profits hit $4.0 trillion at the end of 2024. Other research suggests that these corporate profits accounted for over 50% of inflation in parts of 2023. Economists call this “greedflation,” and it explains why your grocery bill hurts so much even as supply chains normalize. Companies saw an opportunity to raise prices, and they took it.

The debt trap is real

Since our wages aren’t covering the bills, we are bridging the gap with plastic. The Federal Reserve Bank of New York reported that total U.S. household debt rose to $18.8 trillion in the fourth quarter of 2025.

Even scarier is the credit card debt, which now stands at a massive $1.21 trillion. We are essentially borrowing from our future selves just to survive the present. High interest rates make this debt even harder to pay off, creating a cycle that keeps real wealth out of reach for millions. FYI, that is a feature of the system, not a bug.

Why productivity doesn’t equal pay

There is a deeper structural issue at play here. For decades, American workers have become more productive, producing more goods and services per hour than ever before. Logic suggests you should get paid for that extra output.

However, the Economic Policy Institute points out that while productivity has skyrocketed, worker pay has lagged behind for years. The surplus value you create isn’t going into your 401(k); it is going into stock buybacks and dividend payouts. We are working harder and smarter, but the rewards are bypassing the workforce entirely.

Key Takeaways

Debt is Rising: US household debt has reached a record $18.04 trillion as families borrow to cope.

Global Wealth is Up: The world holds $471 trillion in wealth, but it is concentrated at the top.

Housing is Unaffordable: Nearly 77% of US households cannot afford a new median-priced home.

Profits Drive Prices: Corporate profits hit $4 trillion in 2024, significantly contributing to inflation.

Disclosure line: This article was written with the assistance of AI and was subsequently reviewed, revised, and approved by our editorial team.

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