Charity Oxfam Novib has called on Dutch MPs to increase tax for the super-rich because income inequality is growing.

The wealth of the five richest men in the world has more than doubled in the last three years, the organisation said in its latest report on economic inequality worldwide. But over the same period, five billion people became poorer as a result of inflation.

In the Netherlands, this meant that on average Dutch workers “lost” two weeks’ pay, the NGO said. At the same time, the richest 1% in the Netherlands pay just 20% to 30% in tax while the average citizen pays 40%.

“Without intervention big companies and the super-rich will be the only ones to profit,” Oxfam Novib director Michiel Servaes told broadcaster NOS.

According to the most recent edition of the Quote 500 rich list, the number of billionaires in the Netherlands has risen from 47 to 51. The combined wealth of the richest Dutch last year rose 4.7% to €421 billion of which €34 billion is in the hands of the top five.

“The word “graaiflatie (grabflation) wasn’t coined for nothing,” Servaes said. “Politicians who are talking about safeguarding a basic standard of living for everyone must realise that this can only be done through a faire distribution of prosperity. If nothing happens to remedy this, the gap will only become wider,” he said.

The Oxfam Novid report has been timed to coincide with the World Economic Forum’s annual meet in Davos, which kicked off on Monday. It is the 54th time politicians, business leaders, economists and social organisations gather to discuss gloabal challenges.

Queen Máxima will be attending the four-day meeting in her capacity of United Nations special advocate for inclusive finance for development. The theme of this year’s meeting is rebuilding trust.