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The United Nations describes it as a historic shift not seen for 150 years. Across the developing world hundreds of millions of people are escaping poverty and joining the ranks of the middle class. Over the next two decades countries like China and India will swell their consumer ranks and will have many more middle class people than countries like America or Germany. What are the implications for consumption, resources and global competitiveness? Today, in a Â鶹Éç-wide series, Business Daily launches a look at a new global middle class. (Image: A Chinese middle class family drink a toast during dinner. Credit: AFP/Getty Images)