Desigualdad económica en Colombia: el 1 % más rico concentra un tercio de la riqueza | RTVC Noticias

Wealth Concentration

Oxfam Colombia says Colombia ranks fourth in Latin America for wealth concentration. The richest 1% holds about 33% of the country’s wealth, while the poorest half holds only 4%. The fortunes of Colombia’s four wealthiest people total $42 billion, and their wealth reportedly grew by more than 50% in one year.

Tax System and Public Revenue

The report links inequality to a tax system that relies heavily on consumption taxes, such as VAT, which place a proportionally greater burden on lower-income households. Low tax collection, more than 290 tax benefits, and tax evasion and avoidance further limit public revenue and the government’s ability to fund health, education, infrastructure, and climate action.

Effects of Inequality

Although poverty has declined since 2022, more than three million people fell into extreme poverty after the pandemic, while large fortunes grew. Oxfam says inequality also limits access to basic services and disproportionately affects women, rural communities, and Indigenous and Afro-descendant populations. Climate pressures and food insecurity compound these effects.

Oxfam’s Recommendations

Oxfam calls for progressive taxation, the removal of tax privileges, and better-targeted public spending. It warns that without these measures, wealth will continue to favor a small minority, putting democracy and the rights of the majority at risk.

Presenters or Contributors

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