The economic divide between different parts of the world has shaped global politics, migration, trade, and living standards for decades. Some countries have become highly industrialized and wealthy, while others continue to struggle with poverty, instability, or limited development opportunities. People disagree strongly on the main reasons behind these differences, ranging from geography and natural resources to colonial history, education, corruption, and global economic systems. The debate has become even more intense in the age of globalization, AI, and rapid technological change. Many also question whether the gap between richer and poorer regions is shrinking or becoming even larger. This topic explores how people explain global inequality and what they believe matters most for a country’s long-term success.