The presentation will provide recent empirical evidence on inequality in the US, Canada and Latin America (Gini coefficients, top 1 percent shares, top 10 percent) and discuss trends and evolution comparing the Americas with Europe, OECD and main emerging markets. The presentation will highlight the role of taxation systems, wage formation, globalization, wealth concentration and other factors including relevant features of economic elites, the middle class and working class in the making of social inequality.