As of 2024, the top 1% in Albania earned 9.32% of total national income, while the bottom 50% received just 17.76%. Albania’s income inequality has increased since 1980, when the top 1% share was 6.80%.
Key Income Distribution Metrics for Albania in 2024
In 2024, income in Albania was distributed as follows: the wealthiest 1% of the population captured 9.32% of total national income, which is notably lower than the global average of 16.17%. Meanwhile, the bottom half of earners received 17.76% of income, slightly higher than the global average of 14.97%.
| Metric | Albania | Global Average |
|---|---|---|
| Top 1% Income Share | 9.32% | 16.17% |
| Top 10% Income Share | 34.37% | 45.21% |
| Bottom 50% Income Share | 17.76% | 14.97% |
How Has Income Inequality Changed in Albania?
Top 1% Income Share Trend (1980-2024)
The share of income going to Albania’s top 1% has increased over the past 44 years. In 1980, the top 1% captured 6.80% of national income. By 2024, this figure had risen by 2.52 percentage points to 9.32%.
Top 10% vs Bottom 50% Income Gap Over Time
The income gap between the top 10% and bottom 50% in Albania has widened over this period. In 1980, the top 10% earned 30.60% while the bottom 50% received 19.49%. By 2024, these figures shifted to 34.37% and 17.76% respectively.
| Year | Top 1% | Top 10% | Bottom 50% | Gap (Top 10 – Bottom 50) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 6.80% | 30.60% | 19.49% | 11.11 pp |
| 1986 | 6.79% | 30.59% | 19.48% | 11.11 pp |
| 1992 | 7.24% | 31.28% | 19.29% | 11.99 pp |
| 1998 | 8.50% | 33.12% | 18.67% | 14.45 pp |
| 2004 | 8.56% | 33.34% | 18.35% | 14.99 pp |
| 2010 | 8.41% | 32.68% | 19.13% | 13.55 pp |
| 2016 | 9.33% | 35.77% | 16.49% | 19.28 pp |
| 2022 | 9.29% | 34.66% | 17.23% | 17.43 pp |
How Albania Compares Globally
Albania vs Europe Average
Compared to other countries in Europe, Albania’s top 1% income share of 9.32% is slightly lower than the regional average of 10.86%. The bottom 50% in Albania receives 17.76% of income, compared to the Europe average of 20.10%.
Where Albania Ranks Among All Countries
- Top 1% income concentration: Albania ranks 171st out of 184 countries (higher rank = more concentrated wealth at the top)
- Bottom 50% income share: Albania ranks 43rd out of 184 countries (higher rank = larger share for the bottom half)
Countries with similar income inequality levels to Albania include Latvia's income inequality, Ukraine's wealth gap, Finland's wealth gap.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the income share of the top 1% in Albania?
As of 2024, the top 1% in Albania earned 9.32% of total national income. This level of concentration is considered relatively low by international standards.
Is income inequality increasing or decreasing in Albania?
Income inequality in Albania has increased since 1980. The top 1% income share moved from 6.80% in 1980 to 9.32% in 2024.
What percentage of income goes to the bottom 50% in Albania?
In 2024, the bottom 50% of earners in Albania received 17.76% of total national income. This compares with the top 10% who captured 34.37%.
Last updated: April 8, 2026
Data source: World Inequality Database (WID). This dataset covers income distribution metrics for 199 countries from 1980 to 2024.