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The global population is around 6.2 billion with a total global wealth of around US$125 trillion (£63 trillion) according to the largest study yet of wealth distribution from the World Institute for Development Economics Research of the United Nations. However, the richest one per cent of adults in the world own 40% of the world's wealth, and about half the world's popualtion live on less than US$2 a day (£1 a day) according to World Bank estimates. The top five richest nations in terms of GDP are United States, Japan, Germany, China, and United Kingdom respectively. The five poorest nations in terms of GDP are: Tonga, Palau, Marshall Islands, São Tomé and Principe, Kiribati. There are almost 1000 billionaires in the world.

The purpose of this module of work is to describe and explain changing human processes through a study of inequalities in the global distribution of wealth in the era of modern globalisation. After mapping where the very wealthiest people live, students will ask why people in some countries are gaining wealth faster than others. This module will also raise important questions about the nature of global citizenship and the importance of money for quality of life (and happiness).

This module starts by looking at where in the world all this new wealth is found - thereby introducing the concept of space and patterns of spatial distribution, asking where the wealth of billionaires lies (whether in primary/mining or quaternary/software, for example). Increasing numbers of billionaires work across all sectors of industry in Europe, the Americas (especially the US), Asia and the Middle East. However, Africa is home to just five resident billionaires still.

By contrasting the numbers of extremely wealthy people living in Asia, the Middle East and Africa, this module proceeds by asking students to question why some places are gaining more quickly than others from the benefits of globalisation. It also introduces them to the idea of increasing interdependence and connectivity between people around the world. This is done by profiling the work of a female Chinese billionaire whose wealth stems from recycling of British waste.

Plenty of issues arise from the analysis of where billionaires live. In particular, the idea that globalisation means 'the rich get richer while the poor get poorer' is a popular topic of debate in the media and for policy-makers. This module investigates whether there is truth behind the claim, or whether the wealth of billionaires (acting as global citizens) is actually trickling-down - through investment as well as via aid and acts of charity - to poorer people. In closing, this module asks students to:

  • Query the conventional and consumer-orientated concept of quality of life based purely on monetary wealth

  • Think about valuing happiness, beyond the accumulation of wealth

The possible tensions between economic prosperity and social fairness provide students with grounding in the concept of environmental interaction and sustainable development.

A selelction of American $1 bills

Where do billionaires live?

This lesson considers what a billion pounds/dollars represents, which billionaires have we heard of and what the global geography of billionaire wealth looks like

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What do billionaires do?

The focus of this lesson is the importance of the consumption of goods and services in the creation of wealth and an introduction to the sectors of industry – primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary

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Why are many billionaires in Asia and the Middle East?

The focus of this lesson why the numbers of billionaires in Asia and the Middle East are rapidly rising (and, by extension, why these regions are now rapidly developing)

A selelction of American $1 bills

Why does Africa have so few billionaires?

This lesson explores why some countries are home to far fewer billionaires than others (and by extension why some countries and regions are much poorer than others)

A selelction of American $1 bills

Is it ok for the rich to keep getting richer?

This lesson looks at how global inequalities of wealth are getting worse, and explores ways in which the trickle-down of wealth can occur and considers increased charitable giving by extremely wealthy people as solution to closing the wealth gap

A selelction of American $1 bills

How do we measure a nation's wealth?

This lesson introduces students to the idea that there is more than one way of measuring average levels of wealth; and that a wealthy nation can still have poor citizens (especially when billionaires skew the statistics)

A selelction of American $1 bills

Does having money mean a nice life and happiness?

This lesson introduces quality of life is a multi-strand concept and means more than the accumulation of wealth; and some people think happiness should be part of the equation

A selelction of American $1 bills

Assessment

Assessment for Year 8

A hand holding a fan of dollar bills

Where are the billionaires?

An interactive resource about the location of wealth

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Who Wants To Be A Billionaire? Module Plan

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Who Wants To Be A Billionaire? Guide

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Who Wants To Be A Billionaire? Module Overview

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Who Wants To Be A Billionaire? Module Overview (1)

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Who Wants To Be A Billionaire? Module Plan (1)

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Who Wants To Be A Billionaire? Factsheet

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Who Wants To Be A Billionaire? Lesson 6 How Much Is That? Teacher Notes (1)

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Who Wants To Be A Billionaire? Lesson 3 Who Is Zhang Yin and Why Does She Like Rubbish? (1)

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Who Wants To Be A Billionaire? Module Overview

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Who Wants To Be A Billionaire? Lesson 6 How Much Is That?

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Who Wants To Be A Billionaire? Lesson 3 Billionaires By Region (1)

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Who Wants To Be A Billionaire? Lesson 8 Level 5 Evaluation (1)

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Who Wants To Be A Billionaire? Lesson 8 Level 5 Assessment Activity (1)

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Who Wants To Be A Billionaire? Lesson 8 Level 5 Assessment Activity

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Who Wants To Be A Billionaire? Lesson 3 Map of Oil Reserves

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Who Wants To Be A Billionaire? Lesson 3 Household Products Made From Oil (1)

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Who Wants To Be A Billionaire? Lesson 6 Rank GDP vs PPP (1)

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Who Wants To Be A Billionaire? Lesson 3 Who Is Zhang Yin and Why Does She Like Rubbish?

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Who Wants To Be A Billionaire? Guide

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Who Wants To Be A Billionaire? Lesson 8 Level 5 Evaluation

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Who Wants To Be A Billionaire? Lesson 6 Rank GDP vs PPP

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Who Wants To Be A Billionaire? Lesson 3 World Outline Map

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Who Wants To Be A Billionaire? Factsheet

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Who Wants To Be A Billionaire? Lesson 3 Household Products Made From Oil

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Who Wants To Be A Billionaire? Lesson 6 List of Big Mac Prices (1)

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Who Wants To Be A Billionaire? Lesson 6 List of Big Mac Prices

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Who Wants To Be A Billionaire? Lesson 6 How Much Is That? Teacher Notes

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Who Wants To Be A Billionaire? Lesson 3 Billionaires By Region

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Who Wants To Be A Billionaire? Module Plan

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Who Wants To Be A Billionaire? Lesson 8 Level 5 Plan

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Who Wants To Be A Billionaire? Lesson 1 The Top 100 Billionaires

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Who Wants To Be A Billionaire? Lesson 1 The Top 100 Billionaires (1)

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Who Wants To Be A Billionaire? Lesson 1 Celebrity Billionaire Guess Who

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Who Wants To Be A Billionaire? Lesson 1 All Billionaires By Region

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Who Wants To Be A Billionaire? Lesson 1 All Billionaires By Region (1)

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Who Wants To Be A Billionaire? Lesson 1 What Does a Billion Pound Buy?

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Who Wants To Be A Billionaire? Lesson 1 Where Do Most Billionaires Live?

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Who Wants To Be A Billionaire? Lesson 1 Where Do Most Billionaires Live? (1)

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Who Wants To Be A Billionaire? Lesson 2 Billionaire Pigeon Holes

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Who Wants To Be A Billionaire? Lesson 2 Billionaire Pigeon Holes (1)

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Who Wants To Be A Billionaire? Lesson 2 UK Billionaires and UK Economy

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Who Wants To Be A Billionaire? Lesson 2 UK Billionaires and UK Economy (1)

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Who Wants To Be A Billionaire? Lesson 2 Application Form For A Job With Billionaire

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Who Wants To Be A Billionaire? Lesson 2 Application Form For A Job With Billionaire (1)

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Who Wants To Be A Billionaire? Lesson 2 Brand billionaire or mere millionaire?

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Who Wants To Be A Billionaire? Lesson 4 Africa Issues Map

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Who Wants To Be A Billionaire? Lesson 4 Challenges Pictures

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Who Wants To Be A Billionaire? Lesson 4 All Billionaires By Region

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Who Wants To Be A Billionaire? Lesson 4 All Billionaires By Region (1)

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Who Wants To Be A Billionaire? Lesson 5 Widening the Wealth Gap

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Who Wants To Be A Billionaire? Lesson 5 Widening the Wealth Gap (1)

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Who Wants To Be A Billionaire? Lesson 5 Where's Bulging with Wealth

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Who Wants To Be A Billionaire? Lesson 5 Where's Bulging with Wealth (1)

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Who Wants To Be A Billionaire? Lesson 5 Trickle or Tackle Debate Cards

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Who Wants To Be A Billionaire? Lesson 5 Trickle or Tackle Debate Cards (1)

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Who Wants To Be A Billionaire? Lesson 5 Things Everyone Should Know

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Who Wants To Be A Billionaire? Lesson 5 Things Everyone Should Know (1)

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Who Wants To Be A Billionaire? Lesson 7 Quality of Life Sheet

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Who Wants To Be A Billionaire? Lesson 7 Quality of Life Sheet (1)

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Who Wants To Be A Billionaire? Lesson 7 HDI Sheet

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Who Wants To Be A Billionaire? Lesson 7 HDI Sheet (1)

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Who Wants To Be A Billionaire? Lesson 8 Teacher Guidance

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Who Wants To Be A Billionaire? Lesson 8 Teacher Guidance (1)

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Who Wants To Be A Billionaire? Lesson 8 Levelling Grid

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Who Wants To Be A Billionaire? Lesson 8 Levelling Grid (1)

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Who Wants To Be A Billionaire? Lesson 8 Level 5 Plan

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Who Wants To Be A Billionaire? Lesson 8 Level 5 Plan (1)

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Who Wants To Be A Billionaire? Lesson 8 Level 5 Using Sources

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Who Wants To Be A Billionaire? Lesson 8 Level 5 Using Sources

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Who Wants To Be A Billionaire? Lesson 8 Level 5 Assessment Activity

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Who Wants To Be A Billionaire? Lesson 8 Level 5 Assessment Activity (1)

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Who Wants To Be A Billionaire? Lesson 8 Level 5 Evaluation

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Who Wants To Be A Billionaire? Lesson 8 Level 5 Evaluation (1)

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Who Wants To Be A Billionaire? Lesson 8 Level 5 Student Review

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Who Wants To Be A Billionaire? Lesson 8 Level 5 Student Review (1)

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Who Wants To Be A Billionaire? Lesson 8 Level 6 Plan

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Who Wants To Be A Billionaire? Lesson 8 Level 6 Plan (1)

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Who Wants To Be A Billionaire? Lesson 8 Level 6 Assessment Activity

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Who Wants To Be A Billionaire? Lesson 8 Level 6 Assessment Activity (1)

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Who Wants To Be A Billionaire? Lesson 8 Level 6 Student Review

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Who Wants To Be A Billionaire? Lesson 8 Level 6 Student Review (1)

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Who Wants To Be A Billionaire? Lesson 8 Level 6 Using Sources

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Who Wants To Be A Billionaire? Lesson 8 Level 6 Using Sources (1)

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Who Wants To Be A Billionaire? Lesson 8 Level 6 Evaluation

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Who Wants To Be A Billionaire? Lesson 8 Level 6 Evaluation (1)

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Who Wants To Be A Billionaire? Lesson 8 Level 7 Plan

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Who Wants To Be A Billionaire? Lesson 8 Level 7 Plan (1)

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Who Wants To Be A Billionaire? Lesson 8 Level 7 Assessment Activity

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Who Wants To Be A Billionaire? Lesson 8 Level 7 Assessment Activity (1)

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Who Wants To Be A Billionaire? Lesson 8 Level 7 Student Review

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Who Wants To Be A Billionaire? Lesson 8 Level 7 Student Review (1)

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