As of 2024, the top 1% in Azerbaijan earned 13.99% of total national income, while the bottom 50% received just 20.33%. Azerbaijan’s income inequality has increased since 1980, when the top 1% share was 4.06%.
Key Income Distribution Metrics for Azerbaijan in 2024
In 2024, income in Azerbaijan was distributed as follows: the wealthiest 1% of the population captured 13.99% of total national income, which is slightly lower than the global average of 16.17%. Meanwhile, the bottom half of earners received 20.33% of income, notably higher than the global average of 14.97%.
| Metric | Azerbaijan | Global Average |
|---|---|---|
| Top 1% Income Share | 13.99% | 16.17% |
| Top 10% Income Share | 38.22% | 45.21% |
| Bottom 50% Income Share | 20.33% | 14.97% |
How Has Income Inequality Changed in Azerbaijan?
Top 1% Income Share Trend (1980-2024)
The share of income going to Azerbaijan’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 9.93 percentage points to 13.99%.
Top 10% vs Bottom 50% Income Gap Over Time
The income gap between the top 10% and bottom 50% in Azerbaijan 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 38.22% and 20.33% 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 | 10.82% | 31.49% | 22.99% | 8.50 pp |
| 1998 | 16.22% | 43.59% | 15.00% | 28.59 pp |
| 2004 | 14.26% | 38.34% | 20.53% | 17.81 pp |
| 2010 | 13.82% | 38.00% | 20.53% | 17.47 pp |
| 2016 | 13.33% | 37.37% | 21.10% | 16.27 pp |
| 2022 | 13.99% | 38.22% | 20.33% | 17.89 pp |
How Azerbaijan Compares Globally
Azerbaijan vs Asia Average
Compared to other countries in Asia, Azerbaijan’s top 1% income share of 13.99% is slightly lower than the regional average of 16.42%. The bottom 50% in Azerbaijan receives 20.33% of income, compared to the Asia average of 15.41%.
Where Azerbaijan Ranks Among All Countries
- Top 1% income concentration: Azerbaijan ranks 121st out of 184 countries (higher rank = more concentrated wealth at the top)
- Bottom 50% income share: Azerbaijan ranks 23rd out of 184 countries (higher rank = larger share for the bottom half)
Countries with similar income inequality levels to Azerbaijan include Macao's income inequality, Madagascar, Bhutan's wealth gap.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the income share of the top 1% in Azerbaijan?
As of 2024, the top 1% in Azerbaijan earned 13.99% of total national income. This level of concentration is considered moderate by international standards.
Is income inequality increasing or decreasing in Azerbaijan?
Income inequality in Azerbaijan has increased since 1980. The top 1% income share moved from 4.06% in 1980 to 13.99% in 2024.
What percentage of income goes to the bottom 50% in Azerbaijan?
In 2024, the bottom 50% of earners in Azerbaijan received 20.33% of total national income. This compares with the top 10% who captured 38.22%.
Last updated: April 8, 2026
Data source: World Inequality Database (WID). This dataset covers income distribution metrics for 199 countries from 1980 to 2024.