As of 2024, the top 1% in Brazil earned 26.50% of total national income, while the bottom 50% received just 9.26%. Brazil’s income inequality has remained relatively stable since 1980, when the top 1% share was 27.24%.
Key Income Distribution Metrics for Brazil in 2024
In 2024, income in Brazil was distributed as follows: the wealthiest 1% of the population captured 26.50% of total national income, which is significantly higher than the global average of 16.17%. Meanwhile, the bottom half of earners received 9.26% of income, notably lower than the global average of 14.97%.
| Metric | Brazil | Global Average |
|---|---|---|
| Top 1% Income Share | 26.50% | 16.17% |
| Top 10% Income Share | 59.12% | 45.21% |
| Bottom 50% Income Share | 9.26% | 14.97% |
How Has Income Inequality Changed in Brazil?
Top 1% Income Share Trend (1980-2024)
The share of income going to Brazil’s top 1% has remained relatively stable over the past 44 years. In 1980, the top 1% captured 27.24% of national income. By 2024, this figure had fallen by 0.74 percentage points to 26.50%.
Top 10% vs Bottom 50% Income Gap Over Time
The income gap between the top 10% and bottom 50% in Brazil has widened over this period. In 1980, the top 10% earned 58.61% while the bottom 50% received 9.12%. By 2024, these figures shifted to 59.12% and 9.26% respectively.
| Year | Top 1% | Top 10% | Bottom 50% | Gap (Top 10 – Bottom 50) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 27.24% | 58.61% | 9.12% | 49.49 pp |
| 1986 | 27.24% | 58.61% | 9.12% | 49.49 pp |
| 1992 | 27.24% | 58.61% | 9.12% | 49.49 pp |
| 1998 | 27.24% | 58.61% | 9.12% | 49.49 pp |
| 2004 | 28.11% | 58.18% | 9.56% | 48.62 pp |
| 2010 | 29.07% | 58.75% | 10.27% | 48.48 pp |
| 2016 | 25.26% | 58.35% | 9.63% | 48.72 pp |
| 2022 | 25.75% | 59.39% | 9.06% | 50.33 pp |
How Brazil Compares Globally
Brazil vs South America Average
Compared to other countries in South America, Brazil’s top 1% income share of 26.50% is slightly higher than the regional average of 22.53%. The bottom 50% in Brazil receives 9.26% of income, compared to the South America average of 10.17%.
Where Brazil Ranks Among All Countries
- Top 1% income concentration: Brazil ranks 4th out of 184 countries (higher rank = more concentrated wealth at the top)
- Bottom 50% income share: Brazil ranks 172nd out of 184 countries (higher rank = larger share for the bottom half)
Countries with similar income inequality levels to Brazil include Chile's wealth gap, income distribution in Angola, Bahrain's income inequality.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the income share of the top 1% in Brazil?
As of 2024, the top 1% in Brazil earned 26.50% of total national income. This level of concentration is considered very high by international standards.
Is income inequality increasing or decreasing in Brazil?
Income inequality in Brazil has remained relatively stable since 1980. The top 1% income share moved from 27.24% in 1980 to 26.50% in 2024.
What percentage of income goes to the bottom 50% in Brazil?
In 2024, the bottom 50% of earners in Brazil received 9.26% of total national income. This compares with the top 10% who captured 59.12%.
Last updated: April 8, 2026
Data source: World Inequality Database (WID). This dataset covers income distribution metrics for 199 countries from 1980 to 2024.