Leading up to the 2026 World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, an annual gathering of political and business leaders to discuss global economic challenges, both the WEF itself and Oxfam highlighted the dangers of widening inequalities worldwide. The WEF’s Global Risks Report identified inequality as the most interconnected global risk of the coming decade, while Oxfam reported that billionaire wealth grew three times faster than the global economy in 2025 and now sits at historic highs, deepening economic and political divides. Oxfam further warned that billionaires’ growing control over major media and social media companies amplifies their influence over public discourse, politics and policy at the expense of diverse voices and democratic rights. At Davos, business leaders shared these concerns, linking inequality to technological change, climate pressures and political instability. BlackRock CEO Larry Fink cautioned that artificial intelligence could further concentrate wealth unless its benefits are more broadly shared, while Allianz CEO Oliver Bäte stressed that unchecked inequality threatens social cohesion and long-term economic stability.

Meanwhile, 600 protesters completed a two-day march to Davos to draw attention to inequality, corporate influence and climate-driven injustice.

The WEF rejected criticisms raised, saying it was a neutral platform for the exchange of ideas and that it aimed to bring representatives of a broad spectrum of views to the meeting.