As of 2024, the top 1% in Cambodia earned 18.13% of total national income, while the bottom 50% received just 13.91%. Cambodia’s income inequality has decreased since 1980, when the top 1% share was 26.79%.
Key Income Distribution Metrics for Cambodia in 2024
In 2024, income in Cambodia was distributed as follows: the wealthiest 1% of the population captured 18.13% of total national income, which is slightly higher than the global average of 16.17%. Meanwhile, the bottom half of earners received 13.91% of income, slightly lower than the global average of 14.97%.
| Metric | Cambodia | Global Average |
|---|---|---|
| Top 1% Income Share | 18.13% | 16.17% |
| Top 10% Income Share | 45.38% | 45.21% |
| Bottom 50% Income Share | 13.91% | 14.97% |
How Has Income Inequality Changed in Cambodia?
Top 1% Income Share Trend (1980-2024)
The share of income going to Cambodia’s top 1% has decreased over the past 44 years. In 1980, the top 1% captured 26.79% of national income. By 2024, this figure had fallen by 8.66 percentage points to 18.13%.
Top 10% vs Bottom 50% Income Gap Over Time
The income gap between the top 10% and bottom 50% in Cambodia has narrowed over this period. In 1980, the top 10% earned 55.74% while the bottom 50% received 8.78%. By 2024, these figures shifted to 45.38% and 13.91% respectively.
| Year | Top 1% | Top 10% | Bottom 50% | Gap (Top 10 – Bottom 50) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 26.79% | 55.74% | 8.78% | 46.96 pp |
| 1986 | 26.79% | 55.74% | 8.78% | 46.96 pp |
| 1992 | 26.79% | 55.74% | 8.78% | 46.96 pp |
| 1998 | 26.79% | 55.74% | 8.78% | 46.96 pp |
| 2004 | 26.79% | 55.74% | 8.78% | 46.96 pp |
| 2010 | 27.66% | 55.74% | 9.80% | 45.94 pp |
| 2016 | 18.21% | 45.46% | 13.84% | 31.62 pp |
| 2022 | 18.13% | 45.38% | 13.91% | 31.47 pp |
How Cambodia Compares Globally
Cambodia vs Asia Average
Compared to other countries in Asia, Cambodia’s top 1% income share of 18.13% is slightly higher than the regional average of 16.42%. The bottom 50% in Cambodia receives 13.91% of income, compared to the Asia average of 15.41%.
Where Cambodia Ranks Among All Countries
- Top 1% income concentration: Cambodia ranks 58th out of 184 countries (higher rank = more concentrated wealth at the top)
- Bottom 50% income share: Cambodia ranks 118th out of 184 countries (higher rank = larger share for the bottom half)
Countries with similar income inequality levels to Cambodia include income distribution in Costa Rica, income distribution in Tanzania, income distribution in Argentina.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the income share of the top 1% in Cambodia?
As of 2024, the top 1% in Cambodia earned 18.13% of total national income. This level of concentration is considered high by international standards.
Is income inequality increasing or decreasing in Cambodia?
Income inequality in Cambodia has decreased since 1980. The top 1% income share moved from 26.79% in 1980 to 18.13% in 2024.
What percentage of income goes to the bottom 50% in Cambodia?
In 2024, the bottom 50% of earners in Cambodia received 13.91% of total national income. This compares with the top 10% who captured 45.38%.
Last updated: April 8, 2026
Data source: World Inequality Database (WID). This dataset covers income distribution metrics for 199 countries from 1980 to 2024.