January 2021 Even before COVID-19, New York was already defined by a gap between the rich and poor. Yet during the pandemic, wealth has become a determinant of survival. The pandemic hit New York in the spring, with almost 800 people dying from COVID-19 each day in April.
The city has been uneasy since then. People’s lives have been shaken by months of stay-at-home orders, changing public health measures, “Black Lives Matter” protests, the presidential election, and above all the economic consequences of the pandemic, including ever-widening inequality between New Yorkers.
For forty years, the U.S.-led global economy has produced an enormous improvement in human welfare. The percentage of the world’s population living on less than $1.90 per day fallings from 42% to 10%.
At the same time, income inequality has surged in countries with advanced economics. Nowhere has it surged more than the United States, where reliance on free-market forces magnifies rewards for those at the top while leaving others behind.
Is salary important to workers? Bet your bottom dollar it is.
“Employees will go where the money is. And where they’re treated respectfully and valued. But, mostly, it’s the money.”
When we asked those respondents to choose from a list of top reasons why they’re open to new opportunities, nearly two-thirds (63.4%) selected “I need to make more money”.
That’s more than double the next-most popular reason, which is “I need a fresh challenge” (24.6%).
Work flexibility (20.8%), meaningfulness in work (19.3%) and career advancement (also 19.3%) are other leading factors prompting the drive to explore new job opportunities. Still, those numbers pale in comparison to compensation.
Infographics on the distribution of wealth in America, highlighting both the inequality and the difference between our perception of inequality and the actual numbers. The reality is often not what we think it is.
YouTube comments:
“Campaign finance reform is the solution. Until we elect people who arnt brought and paid for nothing will change.”
This social experiment was done to see how people react differently to a Rich girl and a poor girl.
YouTube comments:
“We’re living in a world where the rich continue to get richer and the poor get poorer.”
“They donated to the rich girl because she was hot, and dressed well.”
“I used to know a homeless man who would beg near a McDonalds. He was a really great person, and I would always donate some money. My dad even bought him a tent. Whenever I was near the McDonalds, I never really saw people who were looking to help him. Maybe they thought it was unimportant because he already had a tent, or maybe they didn’t have money, or they just didn’t want to donate. Eventually he was finally able to find a job (at that McDonalds to be exact) and he was able to sell his tent, add that money to what he had already, and buy himself a car! I haven’t seen him for a few years, but I hope that he is doing better in life.”
The rich in Germany been never been as well-off as they are today and assets have never been so unevenly distributed. But who are they? How do they live? And what do they think of their country?
A journey into the discreet world of the super-rich. One percent of Germans own over a quarter of the country’s assets, whilst half of the country’s citizens have no assets at all. But while the German media report on the growing poverty in the country on a daily basis, little is known about the super-rich. They keep a very low profile and can walk the streets unrecognized.
While other European countries make the transition to cashless societies, Germany still has a stubborn affection for a pocket full of loose change. Rachel Stewart investigates the very specific German attitude to money.
A good salary in Germany is the one that will allow you to afford the lifestyle that you want. Anything above 47.700 euros a year (gross) will place you in Germany’s above-average range of income.
We answer the question “what is a good salary in Germany?”. We tackle the average annual salaries based on different factors and provide an answer to the question: “Will my salary be enough?”
YouTube comments:
“This is a great video with a good breakdown! I moved from a big city and took a paycut on my previous gross salary, but I have been amazed how much I am provided for in Germany and never really felt broke despite technically having much lesser money than before. I think until you live here and really experience the economy and plan your finances, the numbers are just… numbers! End of the day I believe we should be fighting for fair salaries, and not higher ones just for the sake of it.”
“Whenever I read about 40% taxe rate, it makes me a bit frustrated. But looking from the other perspective, all of those high contributors I make are the reason why the life for people all ages so good and reliable in Germany, right? I would like to reveal those details and understand the real value of the contributions I would make :)”
“It’s however important to mention that living in Germany you have access to many amenities and infrastructure not available to you in other countries unless you hire someone yourself or you pay a net price for it.”