As of 2024, the top 1% in Burkina Faso earned 14.73% of total national income, while the bottom 50% received just 14.38%. Burkina Faso’s income inequality has decreased since 1980, when the top 1% share was 21.27%.
Key Income Distribution Metrics for Burkina Faso in 2024
In 2024, income in Burkina Faso was distributed as follows: the wealthiest 1% of the population captured 14.73% of total national income, which is slightly lower than the global average of 16.17%. Meanwhile, the bottom half of earners received 14.38% of income, roughly on par with the global average of 14.97%.
| Metric | Burkina Faso | Global Average |
|---|---|---|
| Top 1% Income Share | 14.73% | 16.17% |
| Top 10% Income Share | 47.55% | 45.21% |
| Bottom 50% Income Share | 14.38% | 14.97% |
How Has Income Inequality Changed in Burkina Faso?
Top 1% Income Share Trend (1980-2024)
The share of income going to Burkina Faso’s top 1% has decreased over the past 44 years. In 1980, the top 1% captured 21.27% of national income. By 2024, this figure had fallen by 6.54 percentage points to 14.73%.
Top 10% vs Bottom 50% Income Gap Over Time
The income gap between the top 10% and bottom 50% in Burkina Faso has narrowed over this period. In 1980, the top 10% earned 57.95% while the bottom 50% received 10.09%. By 2024, these figures shifted to 47.55% and 14.38% respectively.
| Year | Top 1% | Top 10% | Bottom 50% | Gap (Top 10 – Bottom 50) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 21.27% | 57.95% | 10.09% | 47.86 pp |
| 1986 | 21.27% | 57.95% | 10.09% | 47.86 pp |
| 1992 | 21.27% | 57.95% | 10.09% | 47.86 pp |
| 1998 | 26.72% | 62.03% | 9.72% | 52.31 pp |
| 2004 | 16.94% | 51.12% | 12.17% | 38.95 pp |
| 2010 | 16.65% | 49.46% | 13.70% | 35.76 pp |
| 2016 | 15.64% | 50.33% | 13.52% | 36.81 pp |
| 2022 | 14.73% | 47.55% | 14.38% | 33.17 pp |
How Burkina Faso Compares Globally
Burkina Faso vs Africa Average
Compared to other countries in Africa, Burkina Faso’s top 1% income share of 14.73% is slightly lower than the regional average of 15.62%. The bottom 50% in Burkina Faso receives 14.38% of income, compared to the Africa average of 13.46%.
Where Burkina Faso Ranks Among All Countries
- Top 1% income concentration: Burkina Faso ranks 110th out of 184 countries (higher rank = more concentrated wealth at the top)
- Bottom 50% income share: Burkina Faso ranks 102nd out of 184 countries (higher rank = larger share for the bottom half)
Countries with similar income inequality levels to Burkina Faso include North Korea's wealth gap, Kazakhstan's wealth gap, Tajikistan.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the income share of the top 1% in Burkina Faso?
As of 2024, the top 1% in Burkina Faso earned 14.73% of total national income. This level of concentration is considered moderate by international standards.
Is income inequality increasing or decreasing in Burkina Faso?
Income inequality in Burkina Faso has decreased since 1980. The top 1% income share moved from 21.27% in 1980 to 14.73% in 2024.
What percentage of income goes to the bottom 50% in Burkina Faso?
In 2024, the bottom 50% of earners in Burkina Faso received 14.38% of total national income. This compares with the top 10% who captured 47.55%.
Last updated: April 8, 2026
Data source: World Inequality Database (WID). This dataset covers income distribution metrics for 199 countries from 1980 to 2024.