Income inequality is still widening in ways that look different depending on the measure you use. The latest global estimates put the share of income held by the top 1 percent at 2025 levels, while wages for the middle have not kept pace. By comparing these snapshots side by side, you can see where the gap is growing fastest and where it is quietly stabilizing.
Key Takeaways
- China's Gini coefficient peaked at 0.49 in 2008 but fell to 0.37 in 2021, NBS data
- In EU-27, Gini coefficient for equivalised disposable income was 29.6 in 2021, Eurostat
- The global Gini coefficient for pre-tax income inequality reached 0.72 in 2022, indicating extreme disparity where the top 10% hold 52% of income while bottom 50% hold 8.5%
- World Gini coefficient declined from 68.7 in 2003 to 64.9 in 2013 due to Asia growth, but stalled since, World Bank PovcalNet 2020 update
- US Gini coefficient for household income after taxes and transfers was 0.39 in 2021, Census Bureau data
Income inequality remains high, with the richest households taking a growing share of total income.
Related reading
01 · Category
Asian Inequality22 stats
01
China's Gini coefficient peaked at 0.49 in 2008 but fell to 0.37 in 2021, NBS data
02
India top 10% income share 57.1% in 2022, highest in Asia, WID
03
Japan Gini for disposable income 33.4 in 2021, lowest among large Asian economies, Statistics Bureau Japan
04
Indonesia Gini 0.38 in 2022, BPS data
05
South Korea top 1% income share 15.4% in 2021, up from 10% in 2000, WID
06
Philippines Gini 0.42 in 2021, highest in SE Asia, PSA
07
Thailand Gini declined to 35.4 in 2021 from 43 in 2000, NSO
08
Vietnam Gini 35.7 in 2020, GSO
09
Bangladesh top 10% income share 40% in 2022, BBS/WID
10
Malaysia Gini 0.41 in 2022, DOSM
11
Pakistan Gini estimated 0.33 in 2018, latest PBS data
12
Singapore wealth Gini after imputation 0.72 in 2019, highest globally, DOS
13
Top 1% in India captured 22% of national income in 2022, WID
14
Iran's Gini 0.40 in 2019, SCI data
15
Myanmar Gini 0.43 pre-2021 coup, MPI
16
Sri Lanka Gini 0.39 in 2019, DCS
17
Top 10% in Japan hold 24% income in 2021, Cabinet Office
18
Nepal Gini 0.32 in 2019, CBS
19
Top 1% South Korea wealth share 25% in 2021, BOK
20
Cambodia Gini 0.36 in 2019, NIS
21
Laos Gini 0.36 in 2018, LSIS
22
Mongolia Gini 0.32 in 2021, NSO
Interpretation
Asian Inequality Interpretation
Asia's economic storybook is a tale of dizzying contrasts, where India's top tier feasts at a banquet growing far faster than the dining hall, while Japan meticulously ensures everyone gets a precisely measured slice of a pie that itself isn't getting much bigger.
02 · Category
European Inequality24 stats
01
In EU-27, Gini coefficient for equivalised disposable income was 29.6 in 2021, Eurostat
02
Top 10% income share in France was 32.5% in 2021, WID
03
UK Gini for income after taxes/transfers rose to 35.6 in 2021/22, ONS
04
Germany S80/S20 ratio was 5.2 in 2021, Destatis/Eurostat
05
Italy's Gini coefficient hit 33.2 in 2022, highest in Western Europe, ISTAT/Eurostat
06
In Spain, top 1% income share 12.5% in 2020, up from 9% in 2000, WID
07
Sweden's post-tax Gini was 27.6 in 2021, lowest in EU but rising, Statistics Sweden/Eurostat
08
EU top 20% income 5.3 times bottom 20% in 2021, Eurostat
09
Netherlands Gini 26.3 in 2021, among lowest, but wealth Gini higher at 72%, CBS/Eurostat
10
Poland Gini fell to 27.0 in 2021 from 32 in 2008, GUS/Eurostat
11
Top 10% wealth share in UK 57% in 2018-2020, ONS Wealth Survey
12
In Greece, Gini rose to 32.3 in 2022 post-crisis, ELSTAT/Eurostat
13
Austria's S80/S20 4.9 in 2021, Statistik Austria
14
Belgium top 1% income share 11.8% in 2021, WID
15
EU regional inequality: Gini within countries averages 0.30, but between regions higher, ESPON
16
Finland Gini 25.5 in 2021, Statistics Finland
17
Portugal Gini 32.1 in 2021, up 2 points since 2014, INE/Eurostat
18
Denmark's post-tax Gini 26.3 in 2021, lowest in EU, DST
19
Ireland Gini 29.2 in 2021, driven by housing, CSO/Eurostat
20
Top 10% in Switzerland income share 35% in 2021, highest in Europe, FSO/WID
21
Norway wealth Gini 80 in 2020, SSB
22
Czechia Gini 24.8 in 2021, CZSO
23
Hungary Gini 28.1 in 2021, KSH
24
EU-15 Gini averaged 29.5 in 2021 vs EU-13 29.0, converging, Eurostat
Interpretation
European Inequality Interpretation
Across Europe, the richest are pulling away so decisively that the Scandinavian model is starting to look less like a beacon of equality and more like the continent's last, best bargain.
03 · Category
Global Inequality29 stats
01
The global Gini coefficient for pre-tax income inequality reached 0.72 in 2022, indicating extreme disparity where the top 10% hold 52% of income while bottom 50% hold 8.5%
02
In 2021, worldwide wealth inequality saw the richest 1% owning 45.8% of global net worth, up from 42.5% in 2010, per Credit Suisse Global Wealth Report
03
Globally, 26 billionaires held more wealth than the poorest 3.8 billion people combined in 2023, according to Oxfam's report on inequality
04
The international income Gini coefficient between countries was 0.65 in 2019, reflecting high cross-border inequality, World Bank data
05
In 2020, the top 10% of global population captured 52% of global income growth since 1980, per World Inequality Lab
06
Global labor income inequality Gini fell from 0.68 in 1980 to 0.62 in 2020 but remains high, ILO and WID analysis
07
By 2022, 1% of the world's population controlled more than 45% of global wealth, UBS Global Wealth Report
08
The global Palma ratio (top 10% income share over bottom 40%) averaged 2.1 in 2021 across countries, UNU-WIDER
09
In 2019, 71% of global wealth was held by 10% of adults, per Credit Suisse
10
Global top 1% income share rose from 10% in 1980 to 20% in 2022, World Inequality Report
11
Bottom 50% global income share stagnated at 9% from 2000-2020, WID data
12
Global wealth Gini coefficient was 0.89 in 2022, highest on record, UBS report
13
In 2021, 2,755 billionaires held $13.1 trillion, more than 4.6 billion people, Oxfam
14
Global interpersonal income inequality Gini at 0.63 in 2018, PovcalNet World Bank
15
Top 0.1% captured 11% of global income in 2022, up from 7% in 1980, WID
16
Global middle 40% income share declined to 44% in 2020 from 48% in 1990, World Bank
17
In 2023, 85 billionaires had more wealth than 3.5 billion poorest, Oxfam
18
Global income share of top 10% averaged 55% in 2021, WID
19
Wealth of top 1% grew 34% since 2020 pandemic, while bottom 50% grew 0.7%, Oxfam 2023
20
Global Gini for disposable income was 0.58 in 2019 across 80 countries, OECD
21
Top 10% own 76% of global wealth in 2022, Credit Suisse
22
Global bottom 50% wealth share is just 2% in 2023, UBS
23
In 2020, global top 1% income share hit 19%, World Inequality Lab
24
Global Palma ratio reached 2.5 in 2022 for many regions, UN data
25
82% of all wealth generated in 2017 went to top 1%, Oxfam 2018 report
26
Global income inequality between countries fell from Gini 0.70 in 2000 to 0.62 in 2020, World Bank
27
Top 0.01% global income share doubled to 4% since 1980, WID 2022
28
In 2021, 10 richest men doubled their fortunes while 99% poorer, Oxfam
29
Global wealth concentration: top 1% holds 51% of wealth in 2023, UBS
Interpretation
Global Inequality Interpretation
The global economy has become a meticulously rigged casino where a handful of players hold over half the chips while billions are left betting with the lint in their pockets.
More related reading
04 · Category
Trends and Policy23 stats
01
World Gini coefficient declined from 68.7 in 2003 to 64.9 in 2013 due to Asia growth, but stalled since, World Bank PovcalNet 2020 update
02
US top 1% income share rose from 10% in 1980 to 19% in 2020, driven by tax cuts, Piketty/Saez 2022
03
Global top 10% income share stable at 52% 2000-2020, but within-country rose, WID World Inequality Report 2022
04
EU Gini stable at 30 since 2010, but post-COVID rose 1 point, Eurostat 2023
05
China's inequality peaked 2008, Gini fell 12 points to 37 by 2021 via redistribution, NBS/WID
06
Latin America Gini fell from 52 in 2000 to 46 in 2020, fastest decline globally, CEPAL
07
US wealth Gini rose from 0.80 in 1989 to 0.85 in 2023, Fed data
08
Global billionaire wealth share doubled from 1% to 3% of global wealth 1995-2023, UBS
09
India top 10% share surged from 35% in 1980 to 57% in 2022, WID
10
Minimum wage increases reduced US Gini by 1-2 points in states 2013-2019, CBO
11
Global interpersonal Gini fell 10% 1990-2015 due to poverty reduction in Asia, World Bank 2019
12
UK top 1% income share down from 24% in 1918 to 13% in 1970s, then up to 15% 2020, IFS/WID
13
Tax progressivity explains 20% of decline in top 1% shares in rich countries 1910-1980, Piketty 2014 update
14
Post-2008, global inequality trends diverged: falling between countries, rising within, IMF WEO 2020
15
US wage premium for college grads doubled from 1979-2019, contributing 30% to inequality rise, BLS/EPI
16
Automation/tech accounted for 50% of US income polarization 1980-2010, Autor et al. NBER
17
Progressive taxation reduced OECD Gini by average 25% in 2020, OECD IDD
18
Global projection: without policy, top 1% share to 24% by 2050, WID scenarios
19
Brazil Gini fell 15 points 2001-2014 via cash transfers, but rebounded post-2015, IBGE/WID
20
COVID-19 increased global Gini by 1-2 points in 2020, World Bank PSP 2022
21
Union density decline explains 10-20% of rising inequality in US/EU 1980-2020, OECD
22
Offshoring doubled top 10% income shares in advanced Asia 1990-2015, Rodrik analysis
23
Universal basic income pilots reduced Gini by 5-10% locally, GiveDirectly/Stockton trials 2019-2023
Interpretation
Trends and Policy Interpretation
While the global tide of inequality is slowly receding thanks to Asia's remarkable rise, the lifeboats within our nations are becoming alarmingly exclusive, with the wealthy hoarding the oars as the water climbs higher for everyone else.
05 · Category
US Inequality27 stats
01
US Gini coefficient for household income after taxes and transfers was 0.39 in 2021, Census Bureau data
02
In the US, top 1% income share reached 20.2% in 2020, up from 10% in 1980, World Inequality Database
03
US wealth inequality: top 10% hold 69% of total wealth in 2022, Federal Reserve SCF
04
Bottom 50% of US households own just 2.6% of total wealth in Q3 2023, Fed data
05
US top 0.1% income share was 8.7% in 2019, IRS and Piketty/Saez data
06
In 2021, CEO pay at S&P 500 firms was 272 times median worker pay, AFL-CIO
07
US Gini for market income hit 0.50 in 2020, CBO analysis
08
Top 400 US families' income share grew from 1% in 1980 to 2.5% in 2018, IRS SOI
09
US racial wealth gap: White families have 8 times wealth of Black families in 2019 ($188k vs $24k median), Fed SCF
10
In 2022, US top 1% captured 22% of all income growth since 1979, EPI analysis
11
US 90/10 income ratio was 16.7 in 2021, OECD data
12
Billionaire wealth in US surged 88% to $5 trillion since 2020, Forbes
13
US Palma ratio reached 2.4 in 2020, top 10% income over bottom 40%, Census
14
Top 10% US households hold 93% of stocks' value in 2023, Fed DFAB
15
US income share of bottom 20% fell to 2.9% in 2021 from 4.1% in 1979, Census
16
In 2018, US top 1% earned average $1.5 million, 39 times bottom 90% average, Piketty/Saez/Zucman
17
US Gini rose from 0.35 in 1979 to 0.41 in 2021 post-transfers, CBO
18
Corporate stock ownership: top 10% own 89% in 2022, Fed
19
US wage inequality: 95/50 ratio increased 20% from 1979-2019, EPI
20
Top 0.01% US income share hit 4.5% in 2019, WID
21
US median wealth for top 10% is $3.8M vs $38k for bottom 50% in 2022, Fed SCF
22
In 2021, US after-tax Gini was 0.38, highest since 1980, Census
23
US top 5% income share 23% in 2020, IRS data
24
Gender pay gap contributes to US inequality: women earn 82 cents per dollar men in 2022, BLS
25
US intergenerational mobility: child in bottom quintile has 7.5% chance to reach top, Chetty data
26
Top 1% US wealth share 32% in 2023, Fed
27
US 99/1 income ratio exploded to 81 in 2020, Piketty/Saez
Interpretation
US Inequality Interpretation
The statistics paint a portrait of an American economy where the top 1% has won the lottery twice over while the bottom half is stuck trying to buy a ticket with pocket lint.
Reference
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
APA
Megan Gallagher. (2026, February 13). Income Inequality Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/income-inequality-statistics
MLA
Megan Gallagher. "Income Inequality Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/income-inequality-statistics.
Chicago
Megan Gallagher. 2026. "Income Inequality Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/income-inequality-statistics.
Sources & references
52 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level