{"id":22990120,"date":"2025-08-18T14:51:41","date_gmt":"2025-08-18T06:51:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.qnet.net\/?p=22990120"},"modified":"2025-10-08T17:33:10","modified_gmt":"2025-10-08T09:33:10","slug":"is-the-middle-class-the-new-poor","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.qnet.net\/opportunity-articles\/qnet-business\/is-the-middle-class-the-new-poor\/","title":{"rendered":"Is the Middle Class the New Poor?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"elevenlabs-audionative-widget\" data-height=\"90\" data-width=\"100%\" data-frameborder=\"no\" data-scrolling=\"no\" data-publicuserid=\"ccde8c1f8e402b903208effb2c8cac97367378322cb021d2d8c25f20e6ac856d\" data-playerurl=\"https:\/\/elevenlabs.io\/player\/index.html\" >Loading the <a href=\"https:\/\/elevenlabs.io\/text-to-speech\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Elevenlabs Text to Speech<\/a> AudioNative Player&#8230;<\/div><script src=\"https:\/\/elevenlabs.io\/player\/audioNativeHelper.js\" type=\"text\/javascript\"><\/script>\n\n\n\n<p>For a long time, being &#8220;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.investopedia.com\/terms\/m\/middle-class.asp\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">middle class<\/a>&#8221; meant earning a stable income, spending on essentials and little luxuries, and being financially secure. Indeed, the middle class has come to represent economic stability, development, and progress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Yet, as global events, inflation, and government policies raise costs, many middle-income earners struggle to make ends meet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Still, is it fair to label this group &#8220;the new poor&#8221;?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Defining Poverty<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The<a href=\"https:\/\/www.un.org\/en\/academic-impact\/addressing-poverty\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> <\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.un.org\/en\/academic-impact\/addressing-poverty\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">United Nations<\/a> classifies a person as &#8220;poor&#8221; if they survive on less than US$2 a day, lack access to basic human needs, and are denied various rights and opportunities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But while this remains true, various experts and bodies acknowledge that many middle-income earners \u2014 e.g., teachers, nurses, engineers, etc. \u2014 are also finding it hard to cope. At least<a href=\"https:\/\/finance.yahoo.com\/news\/10-things-middle-class-won-160004493.html\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> <\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/finance.yahoo.com\/news\/10-things-middle-class-won-160004493.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">one report<\/a> suggests that if the current situation persists, even things like streaming subscriptions may soon be beyond the reach of this group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Worryingly, too, the problem isn&#8217;t limited to a single region, and the signs are hard to ignore from the United States to India and Pakistan to Ghana.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Why the Middle Class is Struggling<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\" src=\"https:\/\/www.qnet.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/pexels-ekaterina-katrin-bolovtsova-4049428-smaller.avif\" alt=\"Man recording a voice message and wondering is the middle class the new poor\" class=\"wp-image-22990123\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.qnet.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/pexels-ekaterina-katrin-bolovtsova-4049428-smaller.avif 1200w, https:\/\/www.qnet.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/pexels-ekaterina-katrin-bolovtsova-4049428-smaller-540x304.jpg 540w, https:\/\/www.qnet.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/pexels-ekaterina-katrin-bolovtsova-4049428-smaller-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.qnet.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/pexels-ekaterina-katrin-bolovtsova-4049428-smaller-860x484.jpg 860w, https:\/\/www.qnet.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/pexels-ekaterina-katrin-bolovtsova-4049428-smaller-150x84.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Photo via Pexels<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>These trends help explain why so many middle class earners are finding it tough to get by:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>1. Stagnant Incomes and Rising Costs<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Groceries, rent, school fees \u2014 everything&#8217;s pricier now than just a decade ago. But salaries haven&#8217;t gone up in tandem. In India, for example, someone earning<a href=\"https:\/\/www.indiatoday.in\/interactive\/photo-essay\/the-great-indian-salary-crisis-middle-class-unemployment-job-loss-268-04-07-2025\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> <\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.indiatoday.in\/interactive\/photo-essay\/the-great-indian-salary-crisis-middle-class-unemployment-job-loss-268-04-07-2025\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Rs 1.5 lakh a month<\/a> might have once been able to enjoy overseas holidays and sign up for a gym membership.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Now, that income often<a href=\"https:\/\/www.newindianexpress.com\/business\/2021\/Nov\/18\/80-per-cent-indian-employees-run-out-of-salary-before-month-ends-survey-2384961.html\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> <\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.newindianexpress.com\/business\/2021\/Nov\/18\/80-per-cent-indian-employees-run-out-of-salary-before-month-ends-survey-2384961.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">vanishes before the next pay cheque<\/a>. It&#8217;s a similar story in the United Kingdom, where, due to higher bills, even families<a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/business\/2024\/mar\/04\/middle-class-workers-mortgages-bills-tax\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\"> earning over \u00a360,000 per annum<\/a> are feeling the pinch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>2. Debt is Widespread and Growing<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Meanwhile, with everyone stretched thinner, more people are accessing credit cards or taking out loans and then defaulting on payments. The situation in the United States presents the most worrying example, where trillions in credit card debts and student loan balances contributed to a<a href=\"https:\/\/www.newyorkfed.org\/microeconomics\/hhdc\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> <\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.newyorkfed.org\/microeconomics\/hhdc\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">total household debt<\/a> of $US18.20 trillion in early 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, it&#8217;s just as bad in countries like Nigeria, where scores of middle-income earners are<a href=\"https:\/\/www.arise.tv\/nigerian-banks-saw-higher-loan-defaults-in-q4-2024-cbn-report-reveals\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> <\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.arise.tv\/nigerian-banks-saw-higher-loan-defaults-in-q4-2024-cbn-report-reveals\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">failing to repay<\/a> what they owe on<a href=\"https:\/\/businessday.ng\/news\/article\/nigerians-borrowed-fourteen-times-more-in-january-to-survive\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\"> loans taken to cope with rising prices<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>3. Savings are Small to Non-Existent<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Another concern is that most middle-income earners don&#8217;t have much of a financial safety net. Yes, the younger generation may<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/worklife\/article\/20240731-how-gen-z-became-so-nihilistic-about-money\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> <\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/worklife\/article\/20240731-how-gen-z-became-so-nihilistic-about-money\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">spend more freely<\/a>. However, many millennials and Gen Z workers do want to save, but just can&#8217;t.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For instance, many urban professionals in Pakistan say they can<a href=\"https:\/\/www.livemint.com\/news\/world\/financial-strain-grips-pakistan-74-struggle-to-make-ends-meet-10-doing-two-jobs-report-11723345264174.html\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> barely<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.livemint.com\/news\/world\/financial-strain-grips-pakistan-74-struggle-to-make-ends-meet-10-doing-two-jobs-report-11723345264174.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\"> manage <\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.livemint.com\/news\/world\/financial-strain-grips-pakistan-74-struggle-to-make-ends-meet-10-doing-two-jobs-report-11723345264174.html\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">their monthly costs<\/a>. And it&#8217;s even harder for those supporting extended families. So, putting aside the recommended<a href=\"https:\/\/www.investopedia.com\/ask\/answers\/022916\/what-502030-budget-rule.asp\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\"> 20% of one&#8217;s income<\/a> for emergencies and future needs feels impossible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>4. Basic Services Feel like Luxuries<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Incidentally, it&#8217;s not just about income, debt or savings, but also access to certain basics. For instance,<a href=\"https:\/\/timesofindia.indiatimes.com\/blogs\/voices\/making-affordable-healthcare-a-reality-for-the-middle-income-group\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> <\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/timesofindia.indiatimes.com\/blogs\/voices\/making-affordable-healthcare-a-reality-for-the-middle-income-group\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">quality healthcare<\/a>,<a href=\"https:\/\/www.outlookmoney.com\/magazine\/editors-note\/editors-note-why-the-middle-class-can-no-longer-afford-a-house\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\"> better housing<\/a> and<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2025-04-25\/how-top-us-college-and-university-costs-are-squeezing-middle-class-families?embedded-checkout=true\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\"> private education<\/a> used to be within the reach of the middle class. Yet, in countries like the United States, Malaysia and the Philippines, private options have become too expensive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As such, many people have had to<a href=\"https:\/\/www.freemalaysiatoday.com\/category\/nation\/2024\/11\/20\/rising-cost-of-private-healthcare-forcing-middle-class-to-govt-hospitals-claim-mps\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> <\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.freemalaysiatoday.com\/category\/nation\/2024\/11\/20\/rising-cost-of-private-healthcare-forcing-middle-class-to-govt-hospitals-claim-mps\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">contend with underfunded public services<\/a> or make tough choices when deciding whether to spend on a medical procedure at a private facility or pay their children&#8217;s university tuition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>5. Lack of Job Security<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Finally, stable middle-income jobs are also becoming harder to secure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Part of the reason is the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.weforum.org\/stories\/2024\/11\/what-gig-economy-workers\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">rise in popularity of gig work<\/a>, and another is the<a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnbc.com\/2024\/06\/11\/jobs-with-the-largest-shares-of-middle-class-earners.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\"> advancement of technology and artificial intelligence<\/a>. Together, these have resulted in middle-income earners finding themselves with less job security or having to work longer and harder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This can be seen especially in countries like Ghana, where many<a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/ghanas-new-graduates-struggle-to-find-jobs\/a-19305185\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> <\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/ghanas-new-graduates-struggle-to-find-jobs\/a-19305185\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">graduates are stuck in part-time employment<\/a>, and in India, where<a href=\"https:\/\/www.policycircle.org\/policy\/indias-workforce-transformation\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\"> contract-based roles<\/a> in manufacturing, construction, trade, transport and education are becoming more common.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Finding a Way<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>But despite today&#8217;s realities, there&#8217;s a silver lining: many people are rethinking their approach to money and work, and finding ways to adapt accordingly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For instance, more and more are<a href=\"https:\/\/populationandeconomics.pensoft.net\/article\/79637\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> <\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/populationandeconomics.pensoft.net\/article\/79637\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">embracing innovation and new technologies<\/a>,<a href=\"https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/councils\/forbesbusinesscouncil\/2025\/03\/12\/why-you-should-upskill-in-2025\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\"> upskilling themselves<\/a>, and importantly, supplementing their full-time jobs with side gigs and freelance work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Essentially, it&#8217;s about becoming one&#8217;s own boss, taking charge, and being in control of the big decisions. This explains why the direct selling industry and leading companies like QNET are currently seeing<a href=\"https:\/\/www.grandviewresearch.com\/industry-analysis\/direct-selling-market-report\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> <\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.grandviewresearch.com\/industry-analysis\/direct-selling-market-report\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">exponential growth<\/a>, and why millions of individuals are choosing to own and run direct sales businesses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\" src=\"https:\/\/www.qnet.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/pexels-karolina-grabowska-7283541-kaboompics-com-zayn.avif\" alt=\"Two young women smiling while looking at a smartphone; there is a HomePure Zayn in their home\" class=\"wp-image-22990122\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.qnet.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/pexels-karolina-grabowska-7283541-kaboompics-com-zayn.avif 1200w, https:\/\/www.qnet.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/pexels-karolina-grabowska-7283541-kaboompics-com-zayn-540x304.jpg 540w, https:\/\/www.qnet.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/pexels-karolina-grabowska-7283541-kaboompics-com-zayn-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.qnet.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/pexels-karolina-grabowska-7283541-kaboompics-com-zayn-860x484.jpg 860w, https:\/\/www.qnet.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/pexels-karolina-grabowska-7283541-kaboompics-com-zayn-150x84.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Photo via Pexels (Edited)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Can Direct Selling Help the Middle Class?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Yes, direct selling \u2014 with a<a href=\"https:\/\/www.qnet.net\/qnet-business\/\"> <\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.qnet.net\/qnet-business\/\">business model<\/a> focused on marketing and retailing goods and services directly to consumers \u2014 has long established itself as a platform for attaining financial sustainability. In today&#8217;s climate, its ability to offer flexibility, security, and community-based support has given the middle class hope and a renewed sense of direction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Indeed, according to the <a href=\"https:\/\/wfdsa.org\/2024-annual-report\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">2024 World Federation of Direct Selling Associations (WFDSA) annual report<\/a>, the global direct selling channel still generated approximately USD 167.6 billion in retail sales in 2023, with nearly 103 million distributors contributing to that total. These figures underscore that direct selling remains a resilient and widespread entrepreneurial opportunity rather than a fringe pursuit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Future of the Middle Class<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>So, is the middle class the new poor? In a way, yes. Financial stress and economic uncertainties have placed great strain on this group to the point that many feel they are teetering on the edge of disaster.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But it need not be as dire because as the nature of work evolves,<a href=\"https:\/\/www.directsellingnews.com\/2024\/09\/04\/wfdsa-releases-2024-global-direct-selling-statistical-data-report\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> <\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.directsellingnews.com\/2024\/09\/04\/wfdsa-releases-2024-global-direct-selling-statistical-data-report\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">millions are proving<\/a> that with the proper support, tools and system, there are opportunities not just to survive these uncertain times, but also<a href=\"https:\/\/www.qnet.net\/success\/\"> thrive<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Loading the Elevenlabs Text to Speech AudioNative Player&#8230; For a long time, being &#8220;middle class&#8221; meant earning a stable income, spending on essentials and little luxuries, and being financially secure. Indeed, the middle class has come to represent economic stability, development, and progress. Yet, as global events, inflation, and government policies raise costs, many middle-income [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":21,"featured_media":22990121,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3108],"tags":[127,2696,3093,1468,3097,2752,668],"tmauthors":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-22990120","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-qnet-business","8":"tag-direct-selling","9":"tag-economy","10":"tag-financial-management","11":"tag-gig-economy","12":"tag-middle-class","13":"tag-small-and-medium-sized-enterprises","14":"tag-wfdsa"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.qnet.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22990120","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.qnet.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.qnet.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.qnet.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/21"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.qnet.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=22990120"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.qnet.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22990120\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.qnet.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/22990121"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.qnet.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=22990120"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.qnet.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=22990120"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.qnet.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=22990120"},{"taxonomy":"tmauthors","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.qnet.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tmauthors?post=22990120"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}