As of 2024, the top 1% in Bulgaria earned 18.32% of total national income, while the bottom 50% received just 16.05%. Bulgaria’s income inequality has increased since 1980, when the top 1% share was 3.29%.
Key Income Distribution Metrics for Bulgaria in 2024
In 2024, income in Bulgaria was distributed as follows: the wealthiest 1% of the population captured 18.32% of total national income, which is slightly higher than the global average of 16.17%. Meanwhile, the bottom half of earners received 16.05% of income, slightly higher than the global average of 14.97%.
| Metric | Bulgaria | Global Average |
|---|---|---|
| Top 1% Income Share | 18.32% | 16.17% |
| Top 10% Income Share | 44.50% | 45.21% |
| Bottom 50% Income Share | 16.05% | 14.97% |
How Has Income Inequality Changed in Bulgaria?
Top 1% Income Share Trend (1980-2024)
The share of income going to Bulgaria’s top 1% has increased over the past 44 years. In 1980, the top 1% captured 3.29% of national income. By 2024, this figure had risen by 15.03 percentage points to 18.32%.
Top 10% vs Bottom 50% Income Gap Over Time
The income gap between the top 10% and bottom 50% in Bulgaria has widened over this period. In 1980, the top 10% earned 21.38% while the bottom 50% received 26.66%. By 2024, these figures shifted to 44.50% and 16.05% respectively.
| Year | Top 1% | Top 10% | Bottom 50% | Gap (Top 10 – Bottom 50) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 3.29% | 21.38% | 26.66% | -5.28 pp |
| 1986 | 3.35% | 20.93% | 27.52% | -6.59 pp |
| 1992 | 9.51% | 32.56% | 21.45% | 11.11 pp |
| 1998 | 11.17% | 36.13% | 19.53% | 16.60 pp |
| 2004 | 11.04% | 35.79% | 19.37% | 16.42 pp |
| 2010 | 11.88% | 35.30% | 19.45% | 15.85 pp |
| 2016 | 16.88% | 41.88% | 16.81% | 25.07 pp |
| 2022 | 18.56% | 44.99% | 15.66% | 29.33 pp |
How Bulgaria Compares Globally
Bulgaria vs Europe Average
Compared to other countries in Europe, Bulgaria’s top 1% income share of 18.32% is significantly higher than the regional average of 10.86%. The bottom 50% in Bulgaria receives 16.05% of income, compared to the Europe average of 20.10%.
Where Bulgaria Ranks Among All Countries
- Top 1% income concentration: Bulgaria ranks 55th out of 184 countries (higher rank = more concentrated wealth at the top)
- Bottom 50% income share: Bulgaria ranks 65th out of 184 countries (higher rank = larger share for the bottom half)
Countries with similar income inequality levels to Bulgaria include Tanzania's income inequality, Costa Rica, Cambodia's income inequality.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the income share of the top 1% in Bulgaria?
As of 2024, the top 1% in Bulgaria earned 18.32% of total national income. This level of concentration is considered high by international standards.
Is income inequality increasing or decreasing in Bulgaria?
Income inequality in Bulgaria has increased since 1980. The top 1% income share moved from 3.29% in 1980 to 18.32% in 2024.
What percentage of income goes to the bottom 50% in Bulgaria?
In 2024, the bottom 50% of earners in Bulgaria received 16.05% of total national income. This compares with the top 10% who captured 44.50%.
Last updated: April 8, 2026
Data source: World Inequality Database (WID). This dataset covers income distribution metrics for 199 countries from 1980 to 2024.