Richer, stouter, and no happier

BBC NEWS | Science/Nature :
The Worldwatch Institute says more than 25% of the world's people now enjoy the style which used to belong to the rich.

But it says rising obesity and debt, and increasing pressures on time, are reducing many people's quality of life.

"LUXURIES AND NEEDS

Yearly spending on luxury items:
Make-up: $18bn
Perfumes: $15bn
Ocean cruises: $14bn
Ice-cream in Europe: $11 bn

Extra annual funds needed to achieve global goals:
Eliminate hunger: $19bn
Reproductive health care for all women: $12bn
Clean water for all: $10bn
Universal literacy: $5bn
Source: Worldwatch "