A survey in Indonesia found that nearly everyone believed that per household was near the median income. They gravely underestimate the inequality that really exists.

This causes real harm because people don't demand that the state act to reduce the inequality.

They also overestimate their chances of getting wealthier than they are. However, social mobility means that some get wealthier and some get poorer. Increased social mobility is no excuse for leaving some people in poverty. What we need is not more reshuffling of people on the income scale, but to make the lives of the poorest better.