As of 2024, the top 1% in Argentina earned 18.10% of total national income, while the bottom 50% received just 12.21%. Argentina’s income inequality has increased since 1980, when the top 1% share was 14.86%.
Key Income Distribution Metrics for Argentina in 2024
In 2024, income in Argentina was distributed as follows: the wealthiest 1% of the population captured 18.10% of total national income, which is slightly higher than the global average of 16.17%. Meanwhile, the bottom half of earners received 12.21% of income, slightly lower than the global average of 14.97%.
| Metric | Argentina | Global Average |
|---|---|---|
| Top 1% Income Share | 18.10% | 16.17% |
| Top 10% Income Share | 45.11% | 45.21% |
| Bottom 50% Income Share | 12.21% | 14.97% |
How Has Income Inequality Changed in Argentina?
Top 1% Income Share Trend (1980-2024)
The share of income going to Argentina’s top 1% has increased over the past 44 years. In 1980, the top 1% captured 14.86% of national income. By 2024, this figure had risen by 3.24 percentage points to 18.10%.
Top 10% vs Bottom 50% Income Gap Over Time
The income gap between the top 10% and bottom 50% in Argentina has narrowed over this period. In 1980, the top 10% earned 50.57% while the bottom 50% received 8.17%. By 2024, these figures shifted to 45.11% and 12.21% respectively.
| Year | Top 1% | Top 10% | Bottom 50% | Gap (Top 10 – Bottom 50) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 14.86% | 50.57% | 8.17% | 42.40 pp |
| 1986 | 14.86% | 50.57% | 8.17% | 42.40 pp |
| 1992 | 14.86% | 50.57% | 8.17% | 42.40 pp |
| 1998 | 14.86% | 50.57% | 8.17% | 42.40 pp |
| 2004 | 16.53% | 49.50% | 10.28% | 39.22 pp |
| 2010 | 13.17% | 42.58% | 12.82% | 29.76 pp |
| 2016 | 14.15% | 41.72% | 13.31% | 28.41 pp |
| 2022 | 12.52% | 43.23% | 13.26% | 29.97 pp |
How Argentina Compares Globally
Argentina vs South America Average
Compared to other countries in South America, Argentina’s top 1% income share of 18.10% is slightly lower than the regional average of 22.53%. The bottom 50% in Argentina receives 12.21% of income, compared to the South America average of 10.17%.
Where Argentina Ranks Among All Countries
- Top 1% income concentration: Argentina ranks 59th out of 184 countries (higher rank = more concentrated wealth at the top)
- Bottom 50% income share: Argentina ranks 137th out of 184 countries (higher rank = larger share for the bottom half)
Countries with similar income inequality levels to Argentina include Kyrgyzstan, Cambodia, Costa Rica's wealth gap.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the income share of the top 1% in Argentina?
As of 2024, the top 1% in Argentina earned 18.10% of total national income. This level of concentration is considered high by international standards.
Is income inequality increasing or decreasing in Argentina?
Income inequality in Argentina has increased since 1980. The top 1% income share moved from 14.86% in 1980 to 18.10% in 2024.
What percentage of income goes to the bottom 50% in Argentina?
In 2024, the bottom 50% of earners in Argentina received 12.21% of total national income. This compares with the top 10% who captured 45.11%.
Last updated: April 8, 2026
Data source: World Inequality Database (WID). This dataset covers income distribution metrics for 199 countries from 1980 to 2024.