A/HRC/45/40 estimated that in mid-2019, the bottom half of wealth holders collectively accounted for less than 1 per cent of total global wealth, while the richest 10 per cent owned 82 per cent of global wealth and the top 1 per cent alone owned 45 per cent of global wealth. 32 According to one estimate, the world’s 500 wealthiest people boosted their collective net worth by 25 per cent in 2019, compared with 2018, reflecting widening wealth and income inequality. 33 Moreover, the global wealth gap is probably far worse than previously estimated since economists, until recently, had limited information about how much money the super-rich had stashed away in tax havens.34 F. Generational, gender, urban-rural and other divides 43. Inequalities extend beyond the rich-poor gap in income, wealth, political power and access to resources. They are also manifested, for example, through generational, gender, urban-rural and other divides. In the circumstances, Member States also agreed to empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status by 2030 (target 10.2 of Sustainable Development Goal 10). 44. An intragenerational divide is to be found in an overwhelming majority of countries, irrespective of their status as developed or developing, characterized by a pattern of income, wealth, political power and resources being concentrated in the hands of a small proportion of the population. 45. The global trend towards extreme wealth and income concentration has also dramatically strengthened the economic and political power of individuals – overwhelmingly male – at the top. Women across the world continue to be underrepresented in high-level, high-paid positions and overrepresented in low-income jobs. Women of colour and those discriminated against on the basis of gender identity experience particularly high levels of poverty, unemployment and other economic hardships.35 Indeed, gender discrimination and sexual harassment in the workplace aggravate and compound such persistent economic divides. Multiple news outlets reported in September 2019 that no country was on track to achieve gender equality by 2030 based on the Sustainable Development Goal gender index.36 46. The pattern is broadly the same where other forms of discrimination are concerned. Often a further disadvantage is faced by children, young people, persons with disabilities, persons living with HIV/AIDS, older persons, indigenous peoples, refugees and internally displaced persons, migrants, ethnic minorities, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons, persons living in rural or remote communities, and others who are marginalized. People are yearning for better services, greater opportunities, dignity and respect. They are also seeking responsive government and an end to the discrimination that aggravates and compounds inequalities. Indeed, inequalities undermine social cohesion. They can also increase political and social tensions and, in some circumstances, can drive instability and conflict. To address inequality, countries need to generate inclusive growth – that is, share the benefits of economic growth more equitably and, in particular, increase the capabilities, opportunities and incomes of households and groups that are consistently on the margins of economic, social and political life. 37 32 33 34 35 36 37 10 www.credit-suisse.com/about-us/en/reports-research/global-wealth-report.html (accessed 7 July 2020). www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-12-27/world-s-richest-gain-1-2-trillion-as-kylie-babysharks-prosper. Pedro Nicolaci da Costa, “Wealth inequality is way worse than you think, and tax havens play a big role”, Forbes, 12 February 2019. https://inequality.org/gender-inequality/ (accessed on 7 July 2020). www.nationalgeographic.org/article/sustainable-development-goals/ (accessed 7 July 2020). United Nations Development Programme, Humanity Divided: Confronting Inequality in Developing Countries (New York, 2013), pp. xi–xii.