Rank
1	Brazil	28.31 %
2	Rwanda	27.04 %
3	Colombia	24.86 %
4	Peru	24.47 %
5	Bahrain	24.23 %
6	Russia	23.89 %
7	Niger	23.8 %
8	El Salvador	23.07 %
9	Thailand	22.86 %
10	Tunisia	21.9 %
11	Kenya	21.47 %
12	India	19.71 %
13	Israel	19.65 %
14	Iran	19.32 %
15	Pakistan	19.3 %
16	Estonia	19.25 %
17	Georgia	18.8 %
18	Congo	18.57 %
19	Madagascar	18.57 %
20	Luxembourg	18.53 %
21	South Africa	18.34 %
22	Taiwan	18.24 %
23	United States	18.06 %
24	Uganda	18.01 %
25	Uruguay	17.96 %
26	Gabon	17.14 %
27	Bangladesh	16.77 %
28	Indonesia	16.12 %
29	New Zealand	16.1 %
30	Ghana	15.83 %
31	Kazakhstan	15.58 %
32	Romania	15.01 %
33	Kyrgyzstan	14.71 %
34	China	14.34 %
35	United Kingdom	14.28 %
36	Canada	14.02 %
37	Singapore	13.82 %
38	Argentina	13.54 %
39	Poland	13.52 %
40	Senegal	13.5 %
41	Ireland	13.26 %
42	Switzerland	12.93 %
43	Brunei Darussalam	12.44 %
44	Germany	12.09 %
45	Latvia	11.95 %
46	Sweden	11.88 %
47	Hungary	11.79 %
48	Czech Republic	11.69 %
49	France	11.52 %
50	Greece	11.43 %
51	Denmark	11.21 %
52	Finland	11.01 %
53	Spain	10.82 %
54	Portugal	10.41 %
55	Australia	10.13 %
56	Iceland	10.05 %
57	Republic of Moldova	9.93 %
58	Lithuania	9.85 %
59	Austria	9.37 %
60	Croatia	9.19 %
61	Belgium	8.44 %
62	Albania	8.41 %
63	Italy	8.15 %
64	Cyprus	7.83 %
65	Slovenia	7.47 %
66	Netherlands	7.18 %

↑Top 10 Countries

Analysis: These countries represent the highest values in this dataset, showcasing significant scale and impact on global statistics.

↓Bottom 10 Countries

Context: These countries or territories have the lowest values, often due to geographic size, administrative status, or specific characteristics.

Insights by country

Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyzstan ranked #33 globally with an Income Share of Richest 1% Before Tax of 14.71 % in 2005. This figure indicates a significant concentration of income among the wealthiest, particularly when compared to lower-ranked countries in the region. Contributing factors include the country's transition from a Soviet economy, which has led to uneven wealth distribution, alongside limited economic diversification and reliance on remittances from abroad.

Hungary

In 2005, Hungary ranked #47 globally with an Income Share of Richest 1% Before Tax of 11.79 %. This figure is relatively high compared to some neighboring countries, indicating significant wealth concentration within the top income bracket. Economic reforms following the transition from communism have contributed to income disparities, as market liberalization benefited wealthier individuals disproportionately while many others faced stagnation.

Indonesia

In 2005, Indonesia ranked #28 globally with an Income Share of Richest 1% Before Tax of 16.12%. This figure is notable compared to the global average, indicating a significant concentration of wealth among the top earners in the country. Contributing factors include rapid economic growth driven by natural resource exports and a lack of comprehensive wealth redistribution policies, which have exacerbated income inequality.

Cyprus

In 2005, Cyprus ranked #64 globally with an Income Share of Richest 1% Before Tax of 7.83 %. This figure is notably lower than that of many European countries, indicating a relatively modest concentration of wealth among the richest citizens. Contributing factors include Cyprus's small population and its economic structure, which has historically relied on tourism and services rather than heavy industry, affecting income distribution patterns.

Republic of Moldova

In 2005, the Republic of Moldova ranked #57 globally with an Income Share of Richest 1% Before Tax of 9.93 %. This figure is relatively low compared to many countries in Eastern Europe, indicating a significant wealth disparity. Contributing factors include Moldova's economic challenges, including reliance on agriculture and remittances, alongside a lack of robust industrial development, which limits wealth generation among the broader population.

Israel

In 2005, Israel ranked #13 globally with an Income Share of Richest 1% Before Tax of 19.65 %. This figure is notably higher than many countries in the region, reflecting significant income inequality. Contributing factors include Israel's high-tech industry, which generates substantial wealth for a small elite, alongside a relatively high cost of living that affects lower-income households disproportionately.

Italy

In 2005, Italy ranked #63 globally with an Income Share of Richest 1% Before Tax of 8.15 %. This figure is notably higher than the bottom-ranked country, indicating significant wealth concentration. Contributing factors include Italy's economic structure, characterized by a large informal sector and regional disparities, which often exacerbate income inequality.

South Africa

In 2005, South Africa ranked #21 globally with an Income Share of Richest 1% Before Tax of 18.34 %. This figure is notably higher than the global average, indicating significant wealth concentration within the country. Contributing factors include South Africa's historical legacy of apartheid, which has resulted in enduring economic disparities, and a labor market characterized by high unemployment rates and low wages for the majority of the population.

Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan's Income Share of Richest 1% Before Tax in 2005 was 15.58%, ranking it #31 out of 66 countries. This figure is notably higher than many of its regional counterparts, reflecting significant income inequality within the country. Key drivers include Kazakhstan's resource-rich economy, particularly in oil and minerals, which has disproportionately benefited the wealthy elite while leaving broader segments of the population with limited economic gains.

Uganda

In 2005, Uganda ranked #24 globally with an Income Share of Richest 1% Before Tax of 18.01 %. This figure is notably higher than many neighboring countries, indicating a significant concentration of wealth among the elite. The high income share can be attributed to factors such as the country's reliance on agriculture, which often benefits wealthier landowners, and a limited tax base that affects income redistribution efforts.

Analysis & Context

In 2005, Brazil led the world in the Income Share of Richest 1% Before Tax with a staggering 28.31%, while the global range spanned from 7.18% in the Netherlands to Brazil's peak. The average income share for the richest 1% across the 66 countries with available data was 15.50%, highlighting a significant concentration of wealth among the upper echelons of society.

Economic Structures and Wealth Concentration

The disparity in the Income Share of Richest 1% Before Tax among countries can often be attributed to varying economic structures. Countries like Brazil (28.31%) and Colombia (24.86%) exhibit high concentrations of wealth largely due to historical economic inequalities and a reliance on commodity exports, which tend to benefit a small elite. In contrast, European nations like the Netherlands (7.18%) and Slovenia (7.47%) show much lower income shares for the richest 1%, reflecting more equitable economic systems and robust social welfare policies that mitigate income disparities.

Policy Impacts on Income Distribution

Government policies play a crucial role in shaping income distribution. For example, Rwanda (27.04%) and Niger (23.80%) have high income shares for the richest 1%, which can be linked to limited tax enforcement and regulatory frameworks that fail to redistribute wealth effectively. Conversely, countries like Italy (8.15%) and Belgium (8.44%) benefit from progressive tax systems and social safety nets that help reduce income inequality before tax.

Regional Trends in Wealth Distribution

Geographical factors also influence wealth concentration. In Latin America, nations such as Peru (24.47%) and El Salvador (23.07%) display high income shares for the richest 1%, a reflection of the region's historical land and resource distribution patterns. Meanwhile, in Eastern Europe, countries like Russia (23.89%) have seen significant income concentration due to rapid privatization and oligarchic economic structures post-Soviet Union.

Year-over-Year Changes and Economic Shifts

Analyzing year-over-year changes provides insights into economic shifts and policy impacts. Estonia experienced the largest increase in income share for the richest 1% with a rise of 3.86 percentage points (25.1%), driven by rapid economic growth and investment influx. El Salvador and Kazakhstan also saw significant increases of 3.13 (15.7%) and 2.70 (21.0%) percentage points, respectively, reflecting similar economic transformations.

Conversely, Peru saw the most substantial decrease, with a drop of 9.64 percentage points (-28.3%), possibly due to policy reforms aimed at reducing inequality. New Zealand and Uruguay also experienced notable decreases, highlighting successful efforts in wealth redistribution.

The data from 2005 on the Income Share of Richest 1% Before Tax underscores the complex interplay of economic structures, government policies, and regional characteristics in shaping income distribution. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for addressing global inequality and crafting effective policies to promote economic equity.

Frequently Asked Questions About Income Share of Richest 1% Before Tax in 2005

Which country had the highest income share of the richest 1% before tax in 2005?

Brazil had the highest income share of the richest 1% before tax in 2005, with 28.31%.

Which country had the lowest income share of the richest 1% before tax in 2005?

The Netherlands had the lowest income share of the richest 1% before tax in 2005, with 7.18%.

What was the average income share of the richest 1% before tax across all countries in 2005?

The average income share of the richest 1% before tax across all countries in 2005 was 15.5%.

What was the median income share of the richest 1% before tax in 2005?

The median income share of the richest 1% before tax in 2005 was 14.53%.

Which countries were in the top 3 for the income share of the richest 1% before tax in 2005?

The top 3 countries for the income share of the richest 1% before tax in 2005 were Brazil, Rwanda, and Colombia.

How many countries are included in the dataset for income share of the richest 1% before tax in 2005?

The dataset includes 66 countries for the income share of the richest 1% before tax in 2005.

Data Source

Income share of the richest 1% (before tax) | World Inequality Database (WID.world) via Our World in Data

Data produced by World Inequality Database (WID.world), compiled and published by Our World in Data as "Income share of the richest 1% (before tax)".

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Historical Data by Year

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