As of 2024, the top 1% in Bhutan earned 14.00% of total national income, while the bottom 50% received just 15.04%. Bhutan’s income inequality has decreased since 1980, when the top 1% share was 18.08%.
Key Income Distribution Metrics for Bhutan in 2024
In 2024, income in Bhutan was distributed as follows: the wealthiest 1% of the population captured 14.00% of total national income, which is slightly lower than the global average of 16.17%. Meanwhile, the bottom half of earners received 15.04% of income, roughly on par with the global average of 14.97%.
| Metric | Bhutan | Global Average |
|---|---|---|
| Top 1% Income Share | 14.00% | 16.17% |
| Top 10% Income Share | 42.14% | 45.21% |
| Bottom 50% Income Share | 15.04% | 14.97% |
How Has Income Inequality Changed in Bhutan?
Top 1% Income Share Trend (1980-2024)
The share of income going to Bhutan’s top 1% has decreased over the past 44 years. In 1980, the top 1% captured 18.08% of national income. By 2024, this figure had fallen by 4.08 percentage points to 14.00%.
Top 10% vs Bottom 50% Income Gap Over Time
The income gap between the top 10% and bottom 50% in Bhutan has narrowed over this period. In 1980, the top 10% earned 49.19% while the bottom 50% received 12.25%. By 2024, these figures shifted to 42.14% and 15.04% respectively.
| Year | Top 1% | Top 10% | Bottom 50% | Gap (Top 10 – Bottom 50) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 18.08% | 49.19% | 12.25% | 36.94 pp |
| 1986 | 18.08% | 49.19% | 12.25% | 36.94 pp |
| 1992 | 18.08% | 49.19% | 12.25% | 36.94 pp |
| 1998 | 18.08% | 49.19% | 12.25% | 36.94 pp |
| 2004 | 17.21% | 47.86% | 12.83% | 35.03 pp |
| 2010 | 17.00% | 46.10% | 13.92% | 32.18 pp |
| 2016 | 14.54% | 42.82% | 14.95% | 27.87 pp |
| 2022 | 14.00% | 42.14% | 15.04% | 27.10 pp |
How Bhutan Compares Globally
Bhutan vs Asia Average
Compared to other countries in Asia, Bhutan’s top 1% income share of 14.00% is slightly lower than the regional average of 16.42%. The bottom 50% in Bhutan receives 15.04% of income, compared to the Asia average of 15.41%.
Where Bhutan Ranks Among All Countries
- Top 1% income concentration: Bhutan ranks 120th out of 184 countries (higher rank = more concentrated wealth at the top)
- Bottom 50% income share: Bhutan ranks 89th out of 184 countries (higher rank = larger share for the bottom half)
Countries with similar income inequality levels to Bhutan include Macao's wealth gap, Azerbaijan's income inequality, Madagascar.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the income share of the top 1% in Bhutan?
As of 2024, the top 1% in Bhutan earned 14.00% of total national income. This level of concentration is considered moderate by international standards.
Is income inequality increasing or decreasing in Bhutan?
Income inequality in Bhutan has decreased since 1980. The top 1% income share moved from 18.08% in 1980 to 14.00% in 2024.
What percentage of income goes to the bottom 50% in Bhutan?
In 2024, the bottom 50% of earners in Bhutan received 15.04% of total national income. This compares with the top 10% who captured 42.14%.
Last updated: April 8, 2026
Data source: World Inequality Database (WID). This dataset covers income distribution metrics for 199 countries from 1980 to 2024.