As of 2024, the top 1% in Armenia earned 15.00% of total national income, while the bottom 50% received just 18.59%. Armenia’s income inequality has increased since 1980, when the top 1% share was 4.06%.
Key Income Distribution Metrics for Armenia in 2024
In 2024, income in Armenia was distributed as follows: the wealthiest 1% of the population captured 15.00% of total national income, which is slightly lower than the global average of 16.17%. Meanwhile, the bottom half of earners received 18.59% of income, notably higher than the global average of 14.97%.
| Metric | Armenia | Global Average |
|---|---|---|
| Top 1% Income Share | 15.00% | 16.17% |
| Top 10% Income Share | 39.60% | 45.21% |
| Bottom 50% Income Share | 18.59% | 14.97% |
How Has Income Inequality Changed in Armenia?
Top 1% Income Share Trend (1980-2024)
The share of income going to Armenia’s top 1% has increased over the past 44 years. In 1980, the top 1% captured 4.06% of national income. By 2024, this figure had risen by 10.94 percentage points to 15.00%.
Top 10% vs Bottom 50% Income Gap Over Time
The income gap between the top 10% and bottom 50% in Armenia has widened over this period. In 1980, the top 10% earned 24.72% while the bottom 50% received 27.73%. By 2024, these figures shifted to 39.60% and 18.59% respectively.
| Year | Top 1% | Top 10% | Bottom 50% | Gap (Top 10 – Bottom 50) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 4.06% | 24.72% | 27.73% | -3.01 pp |
| 1986 | 5.00% | 24.68% | 27.61% | -2.93 pp |
| 1992 | 11.28% | 31.52% | 23.47% | 8.05 pp |
| 1998 | 17.77% | 44.85% | 15.12% | 29.73 pp |
| 2004 | 18.80% | 45.67% | 16.14% | 29.53 pp |
| 2010 | 14.76% | 39.12% | 18.78% | 20.34 pp |
| 2016 | 16.53% | 39.83% | 17.36% | 22.47 pp |
| 2022 | 15.00% | 39.60% | 18.59% | 21.01 pp |
How Armenia Compares Globally
Armenia vs Asia Average
Compared to other countries in Asia, Armenia’s top 1% income share of 15.00% is slightly lower than the regional average of 16.42%. The bottom 50% in Armenia receives 18.59% of income, compared to the Asia average of 15.41%.
Where Armenia Ranks Among All Countries
- Top 1% income concentration: Armenia ranks 107th out of 184 countries (higher rank = more concentrated wealth at the top)
- Bottom 50% income share: Armenia ranks 32nd out of 184 countries (higher rank = larger share for the bottom half)
Countries with similar income inequality levels to Armenia include Sierra Leone's wealth gap, Afghanistan's income inequality, income distribution in Kazakhstan.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the income share of the top 1% in Armenia?
As of 2024, the top 1% in Armenia earned 15.00% of total national income. This level of concentration is considered high by international standards.
Is income inequality increasing or decreasing in Armenia?
Income inequality in Armenia has increased since 1980. The top 1% income share moved from 4.06% in 1980 to 15.00% in 2024.
What percentage of income goes to the bottom 50% in Armenia?
In 2024, the bottom 50% of earners in Armenia received 18.59% of total national income. This compares with the top 10% who captured 39.60%.
Last updated: April 8, 2026
Data source: World Inequality Database (WID). This dataset covers income distribution metrics for 199 countries from 1980 to 2024.