As of 2024, the top 1% in Bangladesh earned 16.16% of total national income, while the bottom 50% received just 17.08%. Bangladesh’s income inequality has increased since 1980, when the top 1% share was 11.64%.
Key Income Distribution Metrics for Bangladesh in 2024
In 2024, income in Bangladesh was distributed as follows: the wealthiest 1% of the population captured 16.16% of total national income, which is roughly on par with the global average of 16.17%. Meanwhile, the bottom half of earners received 17.08% of income, slightly higher than the global average of 14.97%.
| Metric | Bangladesh | Global Average |
|---|---|---|
| Top 1% Income Share | 16.16% | 16.17% |
| Top 10% Income Share | 42.40% | 45.21% |
| Bottom 50% Income Share | 17.08% | 14.97% |
How Has Income Inequality Changed in Bangladesh?
Top 1% Income Share Trend (1980-2024)
The share of income going to Bangladesh’s top 1% has increased over the past 44 years. In 1980, the top 1% captured 11.64% of national income. By 2024, this figure had risen by 4.52 percentage points to 16.16%.
Top 10% vs Bottom 50% Income Gap Over Time
The income gap between the top 10% and bottom 50% in Bangladesh has widened over this period. In 1980, the top 10% earned 36.52% while the bottom 50% received 19.97%. By 2024, these figures shifted to 42.40% and 17.08% respectively.
| Year | Top 1% | Top 10% | Bottom 50% | Gap (Top 10 – Bottom 50) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 11.64% | 36.52% | 19.97% | 16.55 pp |
| 1986 | 13.44% | 39.47% | 18.69% | 20.78 pp |
| 1992 | 13.74% | 40.32% | 18.12% | 22.20 pp |
| 1998 | 16.33% | 44.55% | 16.08% | 28.47 pp |
| 2004 | 16.70% | 45.32% | 15.26% | 30.06 pp |
| 2010 | 16.36% | 43.63% | 16.06% | 27.57 pp |
| 2016 | 16.15% | 42.39% | 17.09% | 25.30 pp |
| 2022 | 16.16% | 42.40% | 17.08% | 25.32 pp |
How Bangladesh Compares Globally
Bangladesh vs Asia Average
Compared to other countries in Asia, Bangladesh’s top 1% income share of 16.16% is roughly on par with the regional average of 16.42%. The bottom 50% in Bangladesh receives 17.08% of income, compared to the Asia average of 15.41%.
Where Bangladesh Ranks Among All Countries
- Top 1% income concentration: Bangladesh ranks 80th out of 184 countries (higher rank = more concentrated wealth at the top)
- Bottom 50% income share: Bangladesh ranks 51st out of 184 countries (higher rank = larger share for the bottom half)
Countries with similar income inequality levels to Bangladesh include Serbia's wealth gap, United Arab Emirates, income distribution in Fiji.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the income share of the top 1% in Bangladesh?
As of 2024, the top 1% in Bangladesh earned 16.16% of total national income. This level of concentration is considered high by international standards.
Is income inequality increasing or decreasing in Bangladesh?
Income inequality in Bangladesh has increased since 1980. The top 1% income share moved from 11.64% in 1980 to 16.16% in 2024.
What percentage of income goes to the bottom 50% in Bangladesh?
In 2024, the bottom 50% of earners in Bangladesh received 17.08% of total national income. This compares with the top 10% who captured 42.40%.
Last updated: April 8, 2026
Data source: World Inequality Database (WID). This dataset covers income distribution metrics for 199 countries from 1980 to 2024.