According to figures, only between 15-20% of the global adult population owns stocks directly.

Go outside, see how smart and ambitious average people are in the first place. The post office worker, the naildresser, the bartender.

There are infinite ways to make money doing anything? Get a degree in STEM, or become a good salesman, or invest in gold or oil or other securities, S&P 500.

Don't have money or a degree? You can even bet on geopolitical outcomes online nowadays. Get "lucky" with crypto. I myself have no idea of the possibilities.

Yes nepotism, yes crime, yes unfairness left and right, but...

Is it really that hard and cutthroat to become at least financially secure and successful? Or does it just seem that way because most people are petty simpletons too much inside their own heads to solve their inadequacies and become tempered, self-overcoming human beings with clear objectives and structure? One could argue that with enough perseverance and awareness of the financial devices at hand, it at some point becomes impossible not to be on the up unless you fuck yourself over with things such as alcoholism, gambling or car accidents.