The headline is a remarkably rosy spin on it when the subheading is "Research shows that ranks of higher earners have grown markedly over last 50 years, while lower rungs of middle class have shrunk". The article is behind a paywall but it makes it sound like inequality is increasing.

Pretty much. It's reiterating an observation of mine [0] that we now live in a K-shaped economy where the 70th percentile and above are distinct from the 50th percentile and below.

Most HNers and their social peers are in the 70th percentile and above.

[0] - https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47064222

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