As of 2024, the top 1% in Australia earned 10.95% of total national income, while the bottom 50% received just 17.11%. Australia’s income inequality has increased since 1980, when the top 1% share was 5.47%.
Key Income Distribution Metrics for Australia in 2024
In 2024, income in Australia was distributed as follows: the wealthiest 1% of the population captured 10.95% of total national income, which is notably lower than the global average of 16.17%. Meanwhile, the bottom half of earners received 17.11% of income, slightly higher than the global average of 14.97%.
| Metric | Australia | Global Average |
|---|---|---|
| Top 1% Income Share | 10.95% | 16.17% |
| Top 10% Income Share | 35.16% | 45.21% |
| Bottom 50% Income Share | 17.11% | 14.97% |
How Has Income Inequality Changed in Australia?
Top 1% Income Share Trend (1980-2024)
The share of income going to Australia’s top 1% has increased over the past 44 years. In 1980, the top 1% captured 5.47% of national income. By 2024, this figure had risen by 5.48 percentage points to 10.95%.
Top 10% vs Bottom 50% Income Gap Over Time
The income gap between the top 10% and bottom 50% in Australia has widened over this period. In 1980, the top 10% earned 24.85% while the bottom 50% received 19.55%. By 2024, these figures shifted to 35.16% and 17.11% respectively.
| Year | Top 1% | Top 10% | Bottom 50% | Gap (Top 10 – Bottom 50) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 5.47% | 24.85% | 19.55% | 5.30 pp |
| 1986 | 6.37% | 26.29% | 18.89% | 7.40 pp |
| 1992 | 6.87% | 29.26% | 19.14% | 10.12 pp |
| 1998 | 8.13% | 31.07% | 18.20% | 12.87 pp |
| 2004 | 9.92% | 33.29% | 18.07% | 15.22 pp |
| 2010 | 10.73% | 34.87% | 17.65% | 17.22 pp |
| 2016 | 9.66% | 33.74% | 17.43% | 16.31 pp |
| 2022 | 11.00% | 35.17% | 17.23% | 17.94 pp |
How Australia Compares Globally
Australia vs Oceania Average
Compared to other countries in Oceania, Australia’s top 1% income share of 10.95% is notably lower than the regional average of 15.41%. The bottom 50% in Australia receives 17.11% of income, compared to the Oceania average of 16.05%.
Where Australia Ranks Among All Countries
- Top 1% income concentration: Australia ranks 155th out of 184 countries (higher rank = more concentrated wealth at the top)
- Bottom 50% income share: Australia ranks 50th out of 184 countries (higher rank = larger share for the bottom half)
Countries with similar income inequality levels to Australia include Gabon's income inequality, Guinea-Bissau, Malta's income inequality.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the income share of the top 1% in Australia?
As of 2024, the top 1% in Australia earned 10.95% of total national income. This level of concentration is considered moderate by international standards.
Is income inequality increasing or decreasing in Australia?
Income inequality in Australia has increased since 1980. The top 1% income share moved from 5.47% in 1980 to 10.95% in 2024.
What percentage of income goes to the bottom 50% in Australia?
In 2024, the bottom 50% of earners in Australia received 17.11% of total national income. This compares with the top 10% who captured 35.16%.
Last updated: April 8, 2026
Data source: World Inequality Database (WID). This dataset covers income distribution metrics for 199 countries from 1980 to 2024.