CEO pay increased 20 times faster than worker pay around the world in 2025, according to a new analysis from Oxfam and the International Trade Union Confederation, the world’s largest trade union federation.
When adjusted for inflation, global worker pay declined 12% between 2019 and 2025, the equivalent of 108 days of free work during that time period. In comparison, CEO compensation increased by 54% between 2019 and 2025.
The average CEO received $8.4m in total compensation in 2025 compared to $7.6m in 2024.
All pay rates (not just minimum wage) should be tied to inflation, so any raises are on top of that adjustment. That would of course bankrupt all companies (is what they’ll say).
Doesn’t fix the topic, but it does address the real wage increase of practically nothing.