As of 2024, the top 1% in Austria earned 8.90% of total national income, while the bottom 50% received just 23.19%. Austria’s income inequality has decreased since 1980, when the top 1% share was 9.47%.
Key Income Distribution Metrics for Austria in 2024
In 2024, income in Austria was distributed as follows: the wealthiest 1% of the population captured 8.90% of total national income, which is notably lower than the global average of 16.17%. Meanwhile, the bottom half of earners received 23.19% of income, significantly higher than the global average of 14.97%.
| Metric | Austria | Global Average |
|---|---|---|
| Top 1% Income Share | 8.90% | 16.17% |
| Top 10% Income Share | 31.75% | 45.21% |
| Bottom 50% Income Share | 23.19% | 14.97% |
How Has Income Inequality Changed in Austria?
Top 1% Income Share Trend (1980-2024)
The share of income going to Austria’s top 1% has decreased over the past 44 years. In 1980, the top 1% captured 9.47% of national income. By 2024, this figure had fallen by 0.57 percentage points to 8.90%.
Top 10% vs Bottom 50% Income Gap Over Time
The income gap between the top 10% and bottom 50% in Austria has widened over this period. In 1980, the top 10% earned 31.60% while the bottom 50% received 23.18%. By 2024, these figures shifted to 31.75% and 23.19% respectively.
| Year | Top 1% | Top 10% | Bottom 50% | Gap (Top 10 – Bottom 50) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 9.47% | 31.60% | 23.18% | 8.42 pp |
| 1986 | 9.16% | 31.43% | 22.97% | 8.46 pp |
| 1992 | 9.16% | 31.26% | 23.50% | 7.76 pp |
| 1998 | 9.67% | 32.21% | 22.80% | 9.41 pp |
| 2004 | 9.64% | 32.61% | 22.90% | 9.71 pp |
| 2010 | 9.58% | 32.57% | 22.37% | 10.20 pp |
| 2016 | 9.78% | 32.67% | 22.60% | 10.07 pp |
| 2022 | 8.99% | 31.33% | 23.34% | 7.99 pp |
How Austria Compares Globally
Austria vs Europe Average
Compared to other countries in Europe, Austria’s top 1% income share of 8.90% is slightly lower than the regional average of 10.86%. The bottom 50% in Austria receives 23.19% of income, compared to the Europe average of 20.10%.
Where Austria Ranks Among All Countries
- Top 1% income concentration: Austria ranks 175th out of 184 countries (higher rank = more concentrated wealth at the top)
- Bottom 50% income share: Austria ranks 5th out of 184 countries (higher rank = larger share for the bottom half)
Countries with similar income inequality levels to Austria include income distribution in Seychelles, income distribution in Lithuania, income distribution in Guinea.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the income share of the top 1% in Austria?
As of 2024, the top 1% in Austria earned 8.90% of total national income. This level of concentration is considered relatively low by international standards.
Is income inequality increasing or decreasing in Austria?
Income inequality in Austria has decreased since 1980. The top 1% income share moved from 9.47% in 1980 to 8.90% in 2024.
What percentage of income goes to the bottom 50% in Austria?
In 2024, the bottom 50% of earners in Austria received 23.19% of total national income. This compares with the top 10% who captured 31.75%.
Last updated: April 8, 2026
Data source: World Inequality Database (WID). This dataset covers income distribution metrics for 199 countries from 1980 to 2024.