Depends on on how you define what the middle class is. Historically "middle class" never meant e.g. the middle 50% but rather the somewhat comfortable, well-of

Depends on on how you define what the middle class is. Historically "middle class" never meant e.g. the middle 50% but rather the somewhat comfortable, well-off people who have assets but still have to work for a living (everyone ranging from small/medium business owners to doctors, lawyers, (sometimes) civil servants, high skilled professionals etc. The average/median person was always dirt-poor and struggling to survive. Of course in the developed countries that has changed quite a bit in the last 60+ years. Still, since it feels like we are slowly reverting to the pre WW2 status quo, I'm not sure we shouldn't entirely base it on population percentiles (instead of using some more "arbitrary" wealth/income cut-off that's adjusted by inequality)