Moreover， 80% of the world's middle class will live outside the United States and the European Union by 2030. These citizens will likely seek to improve their lives by consuming more - but not simply by copying developed-world consumption patterns. Rather， they will probably follow their own path， driven by an acute awareness and concern about the planet's sustainability.
In fact， global consumption is already rapidly becoming more equal. For example， the astonishing growth in smartphones and subsidized broadband in India allows all social and economic groups to enjoy television shows and other entertainment， and more generally enables both producers and consumers to participate more in the global digital economy. Indian farmers can now decide what to plant and where to sell their produce on the basis of market information and weather forecasts. And children in far-flung villages can be taught languages， mathematics， and science via television shows instead of having to learn by rote in near-empty classrooms.
Even parts of the developed world are taking significant steps to boost consumption equality by increasing access. In New York City， for example， government-funded preschool is now free， dramatically leveling the playing field for all children aged four - the most crucial stage in their development.
More equal patterns of global consumption will change the mix of goods and services， as well as how and where they are produced and consumed. And companies can help to lead this transformation.
The world， to borrow a metaphor， is becoming flat with respect to consumption. By supporting this shift， government and private-sector leaders can help to create a more cohesive， sustainable， and inclusive future.
有关经济发展的讨论往往集中于如何提升收入公平上。然而，最近，一些深思熟虑的观察家们开始把消费公平——即商品和服务的公平使用——视为一个更能反映人类福祉对等的指标。毕竟，它更准确地捕捉到人们在消费时感受到的不平等，而消费可能受到借贷和储蓄以及社会保障项目的影响。