CEO Pay Rose 20 Times Faster Than Worker Wages in 2025; May Day Protests Held

Workers, activists and trade unions around the world marked May Day with rallies on Friday, May 1, 2026, as concerns over inequality and economic hardship mounted across regions. ITUC-Africa raised concern over worsening inequality and economic hardship across Africa on May 1, 2026.

The organization stated that Africa faces a growing imbalance in wealth distribution where economic gains are concentrated among a small segment of society.

ITUC-Africa also noted that significant financial resources are lost annually in Africa through tax avoidance, capital flight, and governance gaps. Workers in several African countries face unemployment pressures, inflationary trends, and shrinking economic prospects, according to ITUC-Africa.

Ongoing conflicts in Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Mali disrupt livelihoods and labour systems in Africa.

ITUC-Africa called for improved tax systems, stronger financial oversight, and measures to curb illicit financial outflows in Africa. ITUC-Africa urged African governments to prioritise industrial development, value addition, and regional trade over raw material exports.

The organization highlighted the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as a framework for strengthening intra-African trade and creating employment opportunities.

ITUC-Africa called for expanded investment in energy infrastructure, improved social protection systems, stronger labour rights, and fair migration policies in Africa. Continued inequality could accelerate skilled labour migration from Africa, according to ITUC-Africa. The organization urged workers and trade unions to remain organised and engaged in advocating for accountability and reforms.

Addressing inequality and strengthening governance systems remain critical to ensuring inclusive and sustainable economic growth across Africa, according to ITUC-Africa on May 1, 2026. CEO pay increased 20 times faster than worker pay around the world in 2025. Global worker pay declined 12% between 2019 and 2025 when adjusted for inflation.

The 12% decline in global worker pay between 2019 and 2025 is equivalent to 108 days of free work. CEO compensation increased by 54% between 2019 and 2025. 4 million in total compensation in 2025.

Billionaires were paid $2,500 a second in dividends in 2025 based on investment portfolios of more than 1,000 billionaires. For every two hours in 2025, the average billionaire received more in dividends than the average worker earned in annual pay.

The wealth of billionaires reached record highs in 2026. The wealthiest billionaires gained $4 trillion over the past 12 months ending in 2026. 2% increase from 2025.

Inequality in the US was worse than the global average in 2025. For 384 CEOs in the S&P 500 with available data, CEO pay increased by 25% from 2024 to 2025.

3% from 2024 to 2025. The analysis covered the top-paying 1,500 corporations across 33 countries that report CEO compensation for 2025. Researchers found a 16% gender pay gap among the covered corporations.

Women at the covered companies work for free after 4 November every year due to the gender pay gap. The top 10 highest paid CEOs received more than $1 billion collectively in 2025. Blackstone paid its CEO more than $100 million in 2025.

Amitabh Behar, executive director of Oxfam International, stated, 'We can’t continue to let a handful of super-rich people siphon off the rewards of work that belong to millions.

Behar also stated, 'These measures can do far more than redistribute income; they can create economies that reward work, invest in communities and hold powerful interests accountable.