How does inequality emerge from equal beginnings?

Everyone starts with exactly the same wealth. No one cheats. Simple random transactions + tiny compounding edges. Watch a Pareto distribution emerge from nothing.

Each bar = 1 person, sorted richest to poorest. Colors shift from purple (rich) to dim (poor).

What you're seeing

100 people who all start with exactly the same wealth. Each round, random pairs exchange money — with the wealthier person having a tiny edge. Watch the bars sort themselves into extreme inequality from perfect equality.

How to read the graph

Bars are sorted tallest (richest) to shortest (poorest), left to right. The labels show what percentage of total wealth is held by the top 1%, 10%, and 50%. The mini chart in the corner tracks the Gini coefficient — a standard measure of inequality (0% = perfect equality, 100% = one person has everything).

The key lesson

Inequality doesn't require cheating or rigged rules. It emerges naturally from random exchange combined with even tiny compounding advantages. Set both 'Wealth Advantage' and 'Return on Capital' to zero — inequality still appears from pure randomness. This is one of the most counterintuitive facts in economics.

Round0

Gini Coefficient0.0%

Top 10% Share10.0%

Richest100

Poorest100

Rich/Poor Ratio1x

Everyone starts with exactly the same wealth. Press play. No one has any inherent advantage. Watch what happens when simple random transactions compound over time.