What is wealth inequality in America?

Wealth inequality in America has grown tremendously from 1989 to 2016, to the point where the top 10% of families ranked by household wealth (with at least $1.2 million in net worth) own 77% of the wealth “pie.” The bottom half of families ranked by household wealth (with $97,000 or less in net worth) own only 1% of the pie.

What is economic inequality?

Economic inequality, whether measured through the gaps in income or wealth between richer and poorer households, continues to widen. With periodic interruptions due to business cycle peaks and troughs, the incomes of American households overall have trended up since 1970.

What is the difference between income inequality and wealth inequality?

The bottom 50% and middle 50%-90% of income earners have slightly smaller shares of the pie, while the share of the top 10% has grown to half the pie. 2) Wealth inequality is starker. Income allows a family to get by; wealth allows a family to get ahead.