Three decades of dramatic shift in global economic structure. Back in 1987, low-income countries made up nearly a third of the world—30% to be exact. Fast forward to 2024, and that figure has shrunk to just 12%. Meanwhile, high-income nations have expanded their share to 40% of countries worldwide. This transformation reflects decades of development, technological adoption, and capital flows reshaping the economic landscape. The World Bank Group income classifications tell a compelling story about where wealth has consolidated and which regions have climbed the development ladder. These structural changes form the backdrop for understanding modern asset allocation strategies and emerging market dynamics.