Despite an increase in absolute wealth, global economic inequality persists, with Europe being no exception. In 2022, the richest 10 percent held 35.5 percent of income, while the richest 1 percent controlled 11.4 percent, a 3 percent increase since 1980. Bulgaria and Denmark have the highest inequality, with significant increases of 15 percent and 12 percent. Italy, the sixth most unequal country in Europe, saw 13.6 percent centralization in the hands of the richest 1 percent, an increase of 7.4 percent from 1980 to 2022. Europeans hold more than $2 trillion abroad, including $198 billion in Italy (9.8% of GDP), doubling in recent years. The year 2023 has seen a retrenchment of inflation in Europe after two years of a sharp rise, but price increases persist in food goods.
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