As of 2024, the top 1% in Belgium earned 8.69% of total national income, while the bottom 50% received just 20.33%. Belgium’s income inequality has remained relatively stable since 1980, when the top 1% share was 8.35%.
Key Income Distribution Metrics for Belgium in 2024
In 2024, income in Belgium was distributed as follows: the wealthiest 1% of the population captured 8.69% of total national income, which is notably 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 | Belgium | Global Average |
|---|---|---|
| Top 1% Income Share | 8.69% | 16.17% |
| Top 10% Income Share | 32.93% | 45.21% |
| Bottom 50% Income Share | 20.33% | 14.97% |
How Has Income Inequality Changed in Belgium?
Top 1% Income Share Trend (1980-2024)
The share of income going to Belgium’s top 1% has remained relatively stable over the past 44 years. In 1980, the top 1% captured 8.35% of national income. By 2024, this figure had risen by 0.34 percentage points to 8.69%.
Top 10% vs Bottom 50% Income Gap Over Time
The income gap between the top 10% and bottom 50% in Belgium has widened over this period. In 1980, the top 10% earned 31.66% while the bottom 50% received 22.50%. By 2024, these figures shifted to 32.93% and 20.33% respectively.
| Year | Top 1% | Top 10% | Bottom 50% | Gap (Top 10 – Bottom 50) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 8.35% | 31.66% | 22.50% | 9.16 pp |
| 1986 | 7.88% | 32.23% | 21.34% | 10.89 pp |
| 1992 | 7.57% | 32.01% | 21.09% | 10.92 pp |
| 1998 | 8.13% | 32.60% | 20.15% | 12.45 pp |
| 2004 | 8.52% | 32.21% | 20.08% | 12.13 pp |
| 2010 | 7.63% | 31.35% | 20.60% | 10.75 pp |
| 2016 | 8.63% | 32.12% | 21.11% | 11.01 pp |
| 2022 | 8.70% | 32.91% | 20.32% | 12.59 pp |
How Belgium Compares Globally
Belgium vs Europe Average
Compared to other countries in Europe, Belgium’s top 1% income share of 8.69% is notably lower than the regional average of 10.86%. The bottom 50% in Belgium receives 20.33% of income, compared to the Europe average of 20.10%.
Where Belgium Ranks Among All Countries
- Top 1% income concentration: Belgium ranks 178th out of 184 countries (higher rank = more concentrated wealth at the top)
- Bottom 50% income share: Belgium ranks 24th out of 184 countries (higher rank = larger share for the bottom half)
Countries with similar income inequality levels to Belgium include Guinea, Seychelles's income inequality, Austria's income inequality.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the income share of the top 1% in Belgium?
As of 2024, the top 1% in Belgium earned 8.69% of total national income. This level of concentration is considered relatively low by international standards.
Is income inequality increasing or decreasing in Belgium?
Income inequality in Belgium has remained relatively stable since 1980. The top 1% income share moved from 8.35% in 1980 to 8.69% in 2024.
What percentage of income goes to the bottom 50% in Belgium?
In 2024, the bottom 50% of earners in Belgium received 20.33% of total national income. This compares with the top 10% who captured 32.93%.
Last updated: April 8, 2026
Data source: World Inequality Database (WID). This dataset covers income distribution metrics for 199 countries from 1980 to 2024.