Hundreds of millions of people around the world are escaping poverty and becoming middle class. The explosion of new consumers in China, India and other economic powerhouses is changing the global balance of power.

To launch a season of reports on the New Middle Class, BBC News invites you to take a trip around the world to see where the new middle class is emerging.

Read more about why these changes are happening - and whether they will last - from our chief business correspondent Linda Yueh.