As of 2024, the top 1% in Afghanistan earned 15.08% of total national income, while the bottom 50% received just 17.79%. Afghanistan’s income inequality has decreased since 1980, when the top 1% share was 16.22%.
Key Income Distribution Metrics for Afghanistan in 2024
In 2024, income in Afghanistan was distributed as follows: the wealthiest 1% of the population captured 15.08% of total national income, which is slightly lower than the global average of 16.17%. Meanwhile, the bottom half of earners received 17.79% of income, slightly higher than the global average of 14.97%.
| Metric | Afghanistan | Global Average |
|---|---|---|
| Top 1% Income Share | 15.08% | 16.17% |
| Top 10% Income Share | 41.01% | 45.21% |
| Bottom 50% Income Share | 17.79% | 14.97% |
How Has Income Inequality Changed in Afghanistan?
Top 1% Income Share Trend (1980-2024)
The share of income going to Afghanistan’s top 1% has decreased over the past 44 years. In 1980, the top 1% captured 16.22% of national income. By 2024, this figure had fallen by 1.14 percentage points to 15.08%.
Top 10% vs Bottom 50% Income Gap Over Time
The income gap between the top 10% and bottom 50% in Afghanistan has narrowed over this period. In 1980, the top 10% earned 41.94% while the bottom 50% received 17.17%. By 2024, these figures shifted to 41.01% and 17.79% respectively.
| Year | Top 1% | Top 10% | Bottom 50% | Gap (Top 10 – Bottom 50) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 16.22% | 41.94% | 17.17% | 24.77 pp |
| 1986 | 16.22% | 41.94% | 17.17% | 24.77 pp |
| 1992 | 16.22% | 41.94% | 17.17% | 24.77 pp |
| 1998 | 16.22% | 41.94% | 17.17% | 24.77 pp |
| 2004 | 16.22% | 41.94% | 17.17% | 24.77 pp |
| 2010 | 15.11% | 40.44% | 17.92% | 22.52 pp |
| 2016 | 14.71% | 40.41% | 18.16% | 22.25 pp |
| 2022 | 15.08% | 41.01% | 17.79% | 23.22 pp |
How Afghanistan Compares Globally
Afghanistan vs Asia Average
Compared to other countries in Asia, Afghanistan’s top 1% income share of 15.08% is slightly lower than the regional average of 16.42%. The bottom 50% in Afghanistan receives 17.79% of income, compared to the Asia average of 15.41%.
Where Afghanistan Ranks Among All Countries
- Top 1% income concentration: Afghanistan ranks 105th out of 184 countries (higher rank = more concentrated wealth at the top)
- Bottom 50% income share: Afghanistan ranks 42nd out of 184 countries (higher rank = larger share for the bottom half)
Countries with similar income inequality levels to Afghanistan include Poland's wealth gap, Sierra Leone, Armenia's wealth gap.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the income share of the top 1% in Afghanistan?
As of 2024, the top 1% in Afghanistan earned 15.08% of total national income. This level of concentration is considered high by international standards.
Is income inequality increasing or decreasing in Afghanistan?
Income inequality in Afghanistan has decreased since 1980. The top 1% income share moved from 16.22% in 1980 to 15.08% in 2024.
What percentage of income goes to the bottom 50% in Afghanistan?
In 2024, the bottom 50% of earners in Afghanistan received 17.79% of total national income. This compares with the top 10% who captured 41.01%.
Last updated: April 8, 2026
Data source: World Inequality Database (WID). This dataset covers income distribution metrics for 199 countries from 1980 to 2024.