Analysis finds real wages fell 12% since 2019, with inequality widening in the US beyond global levels

CEO pay increased 20 times faster than worker pay around the world in 2025, according to a new analysis from Oxfam and the International Trade Union Confederation, the world’s largest trade union federation.

When adjusted for inflation, global worker pay declined 12% between 2019 and 2025, the equivalent of 108 days of free work during that time period. In comparison, CEO compensation increased by 54% between 2019 and 2025.

The average CEO received $8.4m in total compensation in 2025 compared to $7.6m in 2024.

  • TheTechnician27@lemmy.worldEnglish
    15·
    1 day ago

    For those wondering where 20x is coming from:

    Chief executives of the world’s largest corporations enjoyed an 11 percent real-terms pay hike last year, while the average global worker saw real wages increase by just 0.5 percent, new analysis by the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) and Oxfam ahead of International Workers’ Day (May 1) reveals. In other words, top global CEO pay increased 20 times faster than global workers’ pay in 2025.

    • Rhaedas@fedia.io
      12·
      1 day ago

      All pay rates (not just minimum wage) should be tied to inflation, so any raises are on top of that adjustment. That would of course bankrupt all companies (is what they’ll say).

      Doesn’t fix the topic, but it does address the real wage increase of practically nothing.