The world has never witnessed in its history such wealth as it does today, and the global economy has never reached the size it has in this era. Yet poverty has not disappeared, nor has the gap between rich and poor narrowed as much as many economists predicted. In fact, the great paradox is that the world is becoming richer while the feeling of inequality grows.

Reports from the World Bank and the United Nations indicate that hundreds of millions of people still live in poverty, despite the tremendous scientific and technological progress. Moreover, a large proportion of global wealth is concentrated in the hands of a limited number of individuals and companies, while millions face difficulty accessing quality education, healthcare, housing, and decent job opportunities.

Globalization has contributed to raising living standards in many countries and lifted hundreds of millions out of poverty, particularly in Asia. But at the same time, in some economies, it has led to a widening gap in income and wealth, as the more educated and those better able to invest in technology have benefited at a faster pace than others.

Then came the digital revolution to add a new dimension to this gap. The modern economy rewards knowledge and innovation more than ever before, and giant tech companies achieve market values that exceed the economies of entire countries. In contrast, traditional jobs face increasing pressure due to automation and artificial intelligence, posing challenges for less skilled workers.

The effects of the widening wealth gap are not limited to the social aspect but extend to the economy itself. When wealth is excessively concentrated, consumption among low-income groups weakens, opportunities for social mobility decline, and this is reflected in growth and stability rates, increasing pressures on public policies.

The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) indicates that investment in education, training, health, women's empowerment, and support for small and medium enterprises are among the most effective policies in reducing inequality and achieving more inclusive economic growth.

In Saudi Arabia, the Vision represents a model of development that not only focuses on increasing the gross domestic product but also seeks to expand economic opportunities, raise homeownership rates, empower youth and women, develop the non-profit sector, improve quality of life, and enable them to access education, work, and healthcare, giving them a fair chance to participate in shaping the future.

The question remains: Can poverty be eradicated in the world? Perhaps complete eradication of poverty is an extremely difficult goal, but reducing it and mitigating its effects is an achievable goal if the right policies, investment in human capital, good governance, and fairness in access to opportunities are in place.