We analyze how median real incomes in the United States have changed since 1980 under a definition of the middle class that adjusts for changes in demographics. We find that failing to adjust for demographic shifts in the population relating to age, race, and education can indicate a more positive outlook than is truly the case. We also find that the real median incomes of today’s middle class are somewhat higher than they used to be, particularly for households headed by two adults. We find, as in prior research, that prices for housing, healthcare, and education have risen more than middle-class incomes, while prices for transportation, food, and recreation have risen less than middle-class incomes.

By 2030, the middle-class population in Asia-Pacific is expected to increase from **** billion people in 2015 to **** billion people. In comparison, the middle-class population of sub-Saharan Africa is expected to increase from *** million in 2015 to *** million in 2030. Worldwide wealth While the middle-class has been on the rise, there is still a huge disparity in global wealth and income. The United States had the highest number of individuals belonging to the top one percent of wealth holders, and the value of global wealth is only expected to increase over the coming years. Around ** percent of the world’s population had assets valued at less than 10,000 U.S. dollars, while less than *** percent had assets of more than one million U.S. dollars. Asia had the highest percentage of investable assets in the world in 2018, whereas Oceania had the highest percentage of non-investable assets. The middle-class The middle class is the group of people whose income falls in the middle of the scale. China accounted for over half of the global population for middle-class wealth in 2017. In the United States, the debate about the middle class “disappearing” has been a popular topic due to the increase in wealth among the top billionaires in the nation. Due to this, there have been arguments to increase taxes on the rich to help support the middle class.

According to data published by the Pew Research Center, India is estimated to have had a shrinking middle class as a result of the global recession brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. It is estimated that the number of people in the middle income tier in India decreased from ** million to ** million following the COVID-19 global recession.

Shrink Sleeve with Perforated Zip Market Outlook

According to our latest research, the Shrink Sleeve with Perforated Zip market size was valued at $2.1 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach $4.3 billion by 2033, expanding at a robust CAGR of 8.1% during the forecast period of 2025–2033. The primary driver fueling this impressive growth is the escalating global demand for tamper-evident and user-friendly packaging solutions across food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, and personal care sectors. The integration of perforated zips into shrink sleeves not only enhances product security but also improves consumer convenience, making these packaging formats increasingly popular among both manufacturers and end-users worldwide.

Regional Outlook

North America currently commands the largest share of the global shrink sleeve with perforated zip market, accounting for over 32% of the total market value in 2024. This dominance can be attributed to a mature packaging industry, strong regulatory emphasis on product safety, and widespread adoption of advanced packaging technologies. The presence of leading beverage, pharmaceutical, and personal care brands in the United States and Canada further accelerates demand, as these industries prioritize tamper-evident features and consumer-friendly packaging formats. Additionally, stringent FDA and Health Canada guidelines regarding packaging integrity have compelled manufacturers to invest in innovative solutions, further solidifying North America's leadership in the global market.

Asia Pacific is emerging as the fastest-growing region in the shrink sleeve with perforated zip market, projected to register a remarkable CAGR of 10.4% during 2025–2033. The region's rapid economic expansion, burgeoning middle-class population, and increasing urbanization are driving higher consumption of packaged foods, beverages, and personal care products. Countries such as China, India, and Southeast Asian nations are witnessing a surge in investments in state-of-the-art packaging facilities and technology upgrades. The proliferation of e-commerce, coupled with a growing preference for visually appealing and secure packaging, is further propelling market growth in Asia Pacific. Local manufacturers are also leveraging cost-effective production and supply chain efficiencies to meet rising domestic and export demand.

Emerging economies in Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa are experiencing a gradual yet promising adoption of shrink sleeves with perforated zips. While these regions account for a smaller market share compared to North America and Asia Pacific, the potential for growth is significant. Localized demand is being shaped by increasing awareness of food safety, rising disposable incomes, and the expansion of organized retail. However, challenges such as fragmented supply chains, limited access to advanced printing technologies, and varying regulatory standards can impede rapid adoption. Policy reforms aimed at improving packaging standards and investments in local manufacturing infrastructure are expected to gradually bridge these gaps, paving the way for future market expansion in these regions.

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PCR Content Shrink Sleeve Market Outlook

According to our latest research, the PCR Content Shrink Sleeve market size was valued at $1.97 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach $4.56 billion by 2033, expanding at a robust CAGR of 9.8% during the forecast period of 2025–2033. The primary catalyst for this impressive growth trajectory is the surging global demand for sustainable packaging solutions, particularly those utilizing post-consumer recycled (PCR) materials. As sustainability becomes a central focus for both brands and consumers, the adoption of PCR content shrink sleeves is accelerating across diverse industries, driven by regulatory mandates, evolving consumer preferences, and the need for enhanced brand differentiation. The market’s momentum is further reinforced by advancements in printing technology and material science, which are enabling higher PCR content integration without compromising on quality or aesthetics.

Regional Outlook

North America currently commands the largest share of the PCR Content Shrink Sleeve market, accounting for approximately 35% of global revenue in 2024. This dominance is attributed to the region's mature packaging industry, stringent environmental regulations, and early adoption of sustainable packaging practices by leading consumer goods companies. The United States, in particular, has witnessed significant investments in recycling infrastructure and innovation, enabling higher collection and processing rates of post-consumer plastics. Additionally, the presence of major beverage, food, and personal care brands in North America has accelerated the transition toward PCR-based shrink sleeves, as companies strive to meet ambitious sustainability targets and enhance their eco-friendly credentials. Strong collaborations between packaging suppliers, recyclers, and brand owners are further fostering innovation and market expansion in this region.

Asia Pacific is emerging as the fastest-growing region in the PCR Content Shrink Sleeve market, projected to register a remarkable CAGR of 12.3% through 2033. The region’s rapid economic development, expanding urban middle class, and increasing awareness of environmental issues are driving the demand for sustainable packaging solutions. Countries such as China, India, and Japan are witnessing substantial investments in recycling technologies and packaging modernization, supported by government initiatives to reduce plastic waste and promote circular economy principles. The proliferation of e-commerce and retail channels in Asia Pacific further amplifies the need for visually appealing, sustainable packaging formats like PCR content shrink sleeves. Local manufacturers are increasingly collaborating with global technology providers to enhance product quality and scale up production capacities, positioning the region as a key growth engine for the market.

In emerging economies across Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa, the adoption of PCR Content Shrink Sleeve solutions is steadily gaining momentum, albeit at a more gradual pace compared to developed markets. These regions face unique challenges, including limited recycling infrastructure, inconsistent regulatory enforcement, and varying levels of consumer awareness regarding sustainability. However, localized demand is rising as multinational brands extend their sustainability commitments to these markets and as local governments introduce policies to curb plastic waste. The adoption curve is further influenced by the affordability and availability of PCR materials, as well as the need for customized packaging solutions that cater to regional preferences and climatic conditions. Over the forecast period, targeted investments in waste management, public awareness campaigns, and technology transfer are expected to unlock significant opportunities for market expansion in these emerging economies.

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BackgroundLow levels of diphtheria, tetanus toxoid, pertussis (DPT3) immunization services utilization and high deaths among under five children are concentrated in economically and socially disadvantaged groups, especially in low and middle-income countries, including Ethiopia. Hence, the aim of this study is to assess levels and trends in DPT3 immunization services utilization in Ethiopia and identify inequalities.MethodsThis study used data from 2000, 2005, 2011, 2016, and 2019 Ethiopian Demographic Health Surveys (EDHSs). The 2019 updated version of the world health organization (WHO’s) Health Equity Assessment Toolkit (HEAT) software was used to analyze the data. Six measure of inequality was calculated: ratio (R), differences (D), relative index of inequality (RII), slope index of inequality (SII), population attributable fraction (PAF) and population attributable risk (PAR). The findings were disaggregated by the five equity stratifiers: economic status, education, place of residence, regions and sex of the child.ResultsThis study showed an erratic distribution of DPT3 immunization services utilization in Ethiopia. The trends in national DPT3 immunization coverage increased from 21% in (2000) to 62% in (2019) (by 41 percentage points). Regarding economic inequality, DPT3 immunization coverages for the poorest quintiles over 20 years were 15.3% (2000), and 47.7% (2019), for the richest quintiles coverage were 43.1 (2000), and 83.4% (2019). However, the service utilization among the poorest groups were increased three fold compared to the richest groups. Regarding educational status, inequality (RII) show decreasing pattern from 7.2% (2000) to 1.5% in(2019). Concerning DPT3 immunization inequality related to sex, (PAR) show that, sex related inequality is zero in 2000, 2005 and in 2019. However, based on the subnational region level, significance difference (PAR) was found in all surveys: 59.7 (2000), 51.1 (2005), 52.2 (2011), 42.5 (2016) and 30.7 (2019). The interesting point of this finding was that, the value of absolute inequality measures (PAR) and (PAF), are shown a decreasing trends from 2000 to 2019, and the gap among the better of regions and poor regions becoming narrowed over the last 20 years. Concerning individual and community level factors, household wealth index, education of the mother, age of respondent, antenatal care, and place of delivery show statically significant with outcome variable. Keeping the other variables constant the odds of an average child in Amhara Region getting DPT3 immunization was 54% less than for a child who lived in Addis Ababa (OR: 0.46, 95% CI: 0.34 – 0.63). Respondents from households with the richest and richer wealth status had 1.21, and 1.26 times higher odds of DPT3 immunization services utilization compared to their counterpart (OR: 1.21, 95% CI: 1.04 -1.41) and (OR: 1.26, 95% CI: 1.13 – 1.40) respectively.ConclusionWe conclude that DPT3 immunization coverage shows a growing trend over 20 years in Ethiopia. But inequalities in utilization of DPT3 immunization services among five equality stratifies studied persisted. Reasons for this could be complex and multifactorial and depending on economic, social, maternal education, place of residence, and healthcare context. Therefore, policy has to be structured and be implemented in a ways that address context specific barriers to achieving equality among population sub-groups and regions.