173. Billionaires' total wealth has grown to $18.3 trillion
Oxfam’s annual global inequality survey found that the number of billionaires exceeded 3,000 for the first time in 2025. Since 2020, their combined wealth has increased by 81%, or $8.2 trillion, an amount that could eradicate global poverty 26 times over.
However, Oxfam’s authors noted that most governments were neglecting ordinary citizens by succumbing to the wealthy's obvious influence.
The report states that over the past year, youth-led protests against inequality have erupted across Africa, Asia, and Latin America. However, governments have consistently ignored and suppressed demonstrations over corruption, austerity, unemployment, and high living costs.
The report stated, “Governments across the globe are making a misguided decision; they prioritize protecting wealth over safeguarding freedom. They opt to serve the interests of the wealthy and suppress their citizens' outrage over rising costs and hardships, instead of reallocating wealth from the richest to the broader population.”
The report noted that the wealthy are increasingly gaining political power globally, shaping politics, societies, and economies. It was observed that historically, the rich were more discreet in wielding influence, but now the merging of money and politics is becoming more overt and bold.
Oxfam states that US research indicates policies supported by the wealthy are adopted 45% of the time, whereas those they oppose have an 18% chance.
In East Africa, austerity measures affected education and healthcare, while businesses received
The mix of business and politics was evident as leading tech tycoons, including Mark Zuckerberg, Lauren Sanchez, Jeff Bezos, Sundar Pichai, and Elon Musk, attended Donald Trump’s inauguration.
In September 2025, Nepal experienced a significant uprising, marked by several days of protests driven by anger over corruption, which resulted in the government being unseated.
Binod Chaudhary, Nepal’s only billionaire and a member of parliament, was among those targeted by the anger, with his businesses and properties being set ablaze.
There is no doubt that politicians take money from businessmen to work in their favour.
Currently, the wealthy are more transparent than ever about leveraging their wealth for political influence, partly through media control, holding political office, or contributing to campaigns.
Their research found that billionaires are 4,000 times more likely than the average person to hold political office. Additionally, over half of the world’s media companies and nine of the top 10 social media platforms are owned by billionaires.
Remember, when people are oppressed, they always rebel. And it will happen everywhere, including India.
The day is not far off.