Global Inequality Worsens as Poorest Countries Struggle to Recover from Pandemic, UN Reports

Despite global recovery trends, half of the world's poorest nations remain below pre-pandemic development levels, highlighting a widening gap.

Many countries are experiencing a post-pandemic recovery, but the poorest nations are not, with development in half of these countries still below 2019 levels.
The UN Development Program warns this trend signifies a growing divide between rich and poor countries, exacerbating vulnerability and inequality.
Economic wealth concentration and the dominance of a few countries in global trade are contributing to the inequality, with the largest tech companies' market value surpassing the GDP of most UN member states.
Populism, fueled by frustration and division, poses a threat to international cooperation and democracy, complicating efforts to address global challenges like climate change and pandemics.
The UN calls for increased investment in global public goods to benefit all, emphasizing the need for cooperation to tackle 21st-century threats.