>>http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/6432941.stm
>>
>>The number of billionaires has risen, and if I understand correctly, Forbes magazine attributes this to an improve in global economy.
>>
>>I hereby offer two alternative explanations, both of which imply a worsening in the general economic situation.
>>
>>1. It seems that calculations are done in US$, and it is my understanding that the value of this currency has decreased, compared to other currencies. For example, how would the comparison over the years look if people with more than a certain amount of Euros are searched?
>>
>>2. I have seen references in several other news items, stating that the rich get richer, and the poor get poorer. Or something to the effect.
>
>There is an obvious contradiction between #1 and #2. You got to decide firstly which one you like better.

Obvious contradiction? My doubts here. Translation into dollars may have only popped up a few Euro almost-billionaires into dollar billionaires, which may have not made it to the list if the $:€ ratio was different, but that only raises or lowers the bar a few percent in some places.

The unit of measure doesn't change the overall layout of the world economy.