Income Share of Richest 1% Before Tax 2019

Income share of the richest 1% before tax reveals wealth concentration across nations. High interest due to inequality debates.

55 data points••Global Coverage•Income share of the richest 1% (before tax) | World Inequality Database (WID.world) via Our World in Data•

Newer data is available: Income Share of Richest 1% Before Tax by country 2022 →

Highest
Peru
26.55%
Lowest
Netherlands
6.92%
Median country
12.7%
Countries with data
55

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Complete Data Rankings

Rank
Actions
1
Peru flag
Peru
26.55 %
2
Dominican Republic flag
Dominican Republic
25.63 %
3
Brazil flag
Brazil
25.33 %
4
Mozambique flag
Mozambique
24.97 %
5
Costa Rica flag
Costa Rica
22.68 %
6
Colombia flag
Colombia
22.44 %
7
India flag
India
22.03 %
8
Uganda flag
Uganda
21.42 %
9
Zimbabwe flag
Zimbabwe
21.07 %
10
United States flag
United States
19.04 %
11
Turkey flag
Turkey
18.92 %
12
Kyrgyzstan flag
Kyrgyzstan
18.09 %
13
Uruguay flag
Uruguay
17.29 %
14
Estonia flag
Estonia
16.92 %
15
Ecuador flag
Ecuador
16.84 %
16
Bulgaria flag
Bulgaria
16.5 %
17
El Salvador flag
El Salvador
16.5 %
18
Thailand flag
Thailand
15.55 %
19
Iran flag
Iran
15.3 %
20
Malawi flag
Malawi
15.23 %
21
Serbia flag
Serbia
14.99 %
22
Poland flag
Poland
14.84 %
23
Argentina flag
Argentina
14.82 %
24
Romania flag
Romania
14.46 %
25
South Korea flag
South Korea
13.4 %
26
Germany flag
Germany
13.05 %
27
Ireland flag
Ireland
12.71 %
28
United Kingdom flag
United Kingdom
12.7 %
29
Denmark flag
Denmark
12.42 %
30
Malaysia flag
Malaysia
12.22 %
31
Spain flag
Spain
12.04 %
32
New Zealand flag
New Zealand
11.91 %
33
Hungary flag
Hungary
11.43 %
34
France flag
France
11.39 %
35
Republic of Moldova flag
Republic of Moldova
11.23 %
36
Lithuania flag
Lithuania
11.09 %
37
Malta flag
Malta
10.94 %
38
Greece flag
Greece
10.84 %
39
Portugal flag
Portugal
10.46 %
40
Canada flag
Canada
10.39 %
41
Sweden flag
Sweden
10.39 %
42
Czech Republic flag
Czech Republic
10.36 %
43
Finland flag
Finland
10.26 %
44
Switzerland flag
Switzerland
10.19 %
45
Luxembourg flag
Luxembourg
10.1 %
46
Mauritania flag
Mauritania
9.97 %
47
Australia flag
Australia
9.91 %
48
Croatia flag
Croatia
9.63 %
49
Latvia flag
Latvia
9.41 %
50
Albania flag
Albania
9.33 %
51
Cyprus flag
Cyprus
8.85 %
52
Belgium flag
Belgium
8.7 %
53
Slovenia flag
Slovenia
8 %
54
Slovakia flag
Slovakia
7.52 %
55
Netherlands flag
Netherlands
6.92 %

↑Top 10 Countries

  1. #1Peru flagPeru
  2. #2Dominican Republic flagDominican Republic
  3. #3Brazil flagBrazil
  4. #4Mozambique flagMozambique
  5. #5Costa Rica flagCosta Rica
  6. #6Colombia flagColombia
  7. #7India flagIndia
  8. #8Uganda flagUganda
  9. #9Zimbabwe flagZimbabwe
  10. #10United States flagUnited States

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

↓Bottom 10 Countries

  1. #55Netherlands flagNetherlands
  2. #54Slovakia flagSlovakia
  3. #53Slovenia flagSlovenia
  4. #52Belgium flagBelgium
  5. #51Cyprus flagCyprus
  6. #50Albania flagAlbania
  7. #49Latvia flagLatvia
  8. #48Croatia flagCroatia
  9. #47Australia flagAustralia
  10. #46Mauritania flagMauritania

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

Insights by country

1

Uganda

In 2019, Uganda ranked #8 globally with an Income Share of Richest 1% Before Tax of 21.42 %. This figure is notably higher than the global average, indicating significant wealth concentration within the country. Contributing factors include Uganda's economic policies that favor capital accumulation and a growing informal sector, which often limits equitable wealth distribution.

2

Turkey

In 2019, Turkey ranked #11 globally with an income share of the richest 1% before tax at 18.92 %. This figure is notably higher than the global average, indicating significant income inequality within the country.

The concentration of wealth among the top earners in Turkey can be attributed to rapid economic growth and urbanization, which have disproportionately benefited affluent individuals and families. Additionally, structural factors such as tax policies and limited social safety nets have further exacerbated this income disparity.

3

Iran

In 2019, Iran ranked #19 globally with an Income Share of Richest 1% Before Tax of 15.3%. This figure is notably higher than many countries in the region, reflecting significant income inequality. Contributing factors include economic sanctions that have limited growth opportunities for the broader population, alongside a wealth concentration in sectors like oil and gas, which disproportionately benefits the wealthy elite.

4

Malaysia

In 2019, Malaysia ranked #30 globally with an Income Share of Richest 1% Before Tax of 12.22%. This figure is significant as it reflects a higher concentration of wealth compared to many neighboring Southeast Asian countries, indicating economic disparities within the nation. Factors contributing to this statistic include Malaysia's rapid economic growth driven by exports and a relatively high level of foreign investment, which have disproportionately benefited the wealthiest segments of society.

5

Belgium

In 2019, Belgium ranked #52 globally with an Income Share of Richest 1% Before Tax of 8.7 %. This figure is notably lower than the global average, indicating a relatively moderate concentration of wealth among the top earners. Contributing factors include Belgium's progressive tax system and social policies aimed at income redistribution, which may limit the wealth accumulation of the richest individuals compared to countries with less progressive frameworks.

6

Malawi

In 2019, Malawi ranked #20 globally with an income share of the richest 1% before tax at 15.23 %. This figure is notable as it reflects a higher concentration of wealth compared to many neighboring countries in Southern Africa, where income inequality remains a pressing issue. Contributing factors to this statistic include Malawi's limited economic diversification and reliance on agriculture, which often exacerbates disparities in wealth distribution.

7

Mozambique

Mozambique ranks #4 globally with an Income Share of Richest 1% Before Tax of 24.97% in 2019. This figure is notably higher than the regional average, indicating significant income inequality within the country. Contributing factors include a small elite controlling vast natural resources and limited access to education and economic opportunities for the majority of the population.

8

Hungary

In 2019, Hungary ranked #33 globally, with an Income Share of Richest 1% Before Tax of 11.43%. This figure is notable as it reflects a higher concentration of income among the wealthiest compared to many European nations. Contributing factors include Hungary's economic policies that favor capital accumulation and a significant reliance on foreign investments, which can exacerbate income inequality.

9

United Kingdom

The United Kingdom ranked #28 globally with an Income Share of Richest 1% Before Tax of 12.7 % in 2019. This figure is notably higher than the global average, indicating significant wealth concentration within the country. Contributing factors include a robust financial sector centered in London and policies that have historically favored capital accumulation among the wealthy, exacerbating income inequality.

10

Australia

In 2019, Australia ranked #47 globally with an Income Share of Richest 1% Before Tax of 9.91%. This figure is notably higher than the global average, indicating significant income concentration among the wealthiest Australians. Key drivers include a robust service sector and high housing prices, which contribute to wealth accumulation among the top earners, while wage growth has lagged for the broader population.

Analysis & Context

In 2019, Peru had the highest Income Share of Richest 1% Before Tax at 26.55%, while the global range spanned from 6.92% to 26.55%. The global average income share for the richest 1% was 14.28%, providing a clear picture of wealth concentration disparities worldwide.

Economic Structures and Income Concentration

The high concentration of income among the richest 1% in countries like Peru (26.55%), Dominican Republic (25.63%), and Brazil (25.33%) can often be attributed to economic structures that favor capital-intensive industries and limited redistributive policies. In Latin America, where income inequality remains a persistent issue, historical and systemic factors contribute significantly to these figures. For instance, the reliance on commodity exports and the presence of large agricultural and mining sectors, which often generate significant wealth for a small segment of society, exacerbate income disparity.

Conversely, countries such as the Netherlands (6.92%) and Slovakia (7.52%) showcase lower income shares among the richest 1%, likely due to robust social welfare systems and progressive tax policies that aim to redistribute income more evenly across the population. These countries often prioritize social equity, reflected in their lower income concentration at the top.

Policy Influence on Income Distribution

Government policies play a pivotal role in shaping the income distribution landscape. In Costa Rica (22.68%) and Colombia (22.44%), limited fiscal policies for wealth redistribution contribute to higher income shares for the wealthiest. In contrast, countries like Belgium (8.7%) and Slovenia (8%) implement progressive taxation and substantial social spending, which help curb the income share of the richest 1%.

These differences highlight the impact of national policy frameworks on income distribution. Countries with lower income concentration often employ more aggressive taxation and social welfare strategies, which help mitigate the economic advantages held by the wealthiest individuals.

Regional Economic Conditions and Inequality

Regional economic conditions significantly impact the income share of the richest 1%. In India (22.03%) and Uganda (21.42%), rapid economic growth coupled with insufficiently inclusive economic policies has resulted in substantial wealth concentration. Emerging markets often experience high-income inequality as economic gains are disproportionately captured by a small elite.

In contrast, countries like Australia (9.91%) show a more balanced income distribution, which can be attributed to diversified economies and effective governance that promotes equitable growth. Australia's economic policies ensure more equitable opportunities and access to resources, reducing the income share held by the richest.

Trends in Income Share Changes

Analyzing year-over-year changes reveals notable shifts. Estonia experienced the largest increase in income share of the richest 1% by 3.96% (30.6%), indicating a rapid economic transformation that may not have been matched by adequate redistributive policies. Similarly, Kyrgyzstan saw a 3.93% increase (27.8%), highlighting emerging market challenges in managing wealth distribution.

Conversely, Cyprus saw a significant decrease of 3.40% (-27.8%) in the income share of its richest 1%, likely due to policy reforms aimed at reducing inequality. Bulgaria and Luxembourg also recorded declines, suggesting shifts towards more equitable income distribution through policy adjustments.

These trends underscore the dynamic nature of income distribution and the critical role of policy interventions in shaping these outcomes. Countries experiencing significant changes may be reacting to internal economic shifts or external pressures to address income inequality.

Overall, the Income Share of Richest 1% Before Tax in 2019 highlights substantial disparities in wealth concentration globally. Economic structures, policy frameworks, and regional conditions are key factors influencing these patterns, illustrating the complex interplay between national contexts and income distribution.

Frequently Asked Questions About Income Share of Richest 1% Before Tax in 2019

Which country had the highest income share of the richest 1% before tax in 2019?

Peru had the highest income share of the richest 1% before tax in 2019, with 26.55%.

Which country had the lowest income share of the richest 1% before tax in 2019?

The Netherlands had the lowest income share of the richest 1% before tax in 2019, with 6.92%.

What was the average income share of the richest 1% before tax across all countries in 2019?

The average income share of the richest 1% before tax across all countries in 2019 was 14.28%.

What was the median income share of the richest 1% before tax in 2019?

The median income share of the richest 1% before tax in 2019 was 12.7%.

Which countries were in the top 3 for the income share of the richest 1% before tax in 2019?

The top 3 countries for the income share of the richest 1% before tax in 2019 were Peru with 26.55%, Dominican Republic with 25.63%, and Brazil with 25.33%.

How many countries are included in the dataset for the income share of the richest 1% before tax in 2019?

The dataset includes 55 countries for the income share of the richest 1% before tax in 2019.

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

Explore Income Share of Richest 1% Before Tax data across different years. Compare trends and see how statistics have changed over time.