As of 2024, the top 1% in Chile earned 26.71% of total national income, while the bottom 50% received just 8.18%. Chile’s income inequality has decreased since 1980, when the top 1% share was 30.23%.
Key Income Distribution Metrics for Chile in 2024
In 2024, income in Chile was distributed as follows: the wealthiest 1% of the population captured 26.71% of total national income, which is significantly higher than the global average of 16.17%. Meanwhile, the bottom half of earners received 8.18% of income, notably lower than the global average of 14.97%.
| Metric | Chile | Global Average |
|---|---|---|
| Top 1% Income Share | 26.71% | 16.17% |
| Top 10% Income Share | 59.47% | 45.21% |
| Bottom 50% Income Share | 8.18% | 14.97% |
How Has Income Inequality Changed in Chile?
Top 1% Income Share Trend (1980-2024)
The share of income going to Chile’s top 1% has decreased over the past 44 years. In 1980, the top 1% captured 30.23% of national income. By 2024, this figure had fallen by 3.52 percentage points to 26.71%.
Top 10% vs Bottom 50% Income Gap Over Time
The income gap between the top 10% and bottom 50% in Chile has narrowed over this period. In 1980, the top 10% earned 62.73% while the bottom 50% received 7.52%. By 2024, these figures shifted to 59.47% and 8.18% respectively.
| Year | Top 1% | Top 10% | Bottom 50% | Gap (Top 10 – Bottom 50) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 30.23% | 62.73% | 7.52% | 55.21 pp |
| 1986 | 30.23% | 62.73% | 7.52% | 55.21 pp |
| 1992 | 30.23% | 62.73% | 7.52% | 55.21 pp |
| 1998 | 30.23% | 62.73% | 7.52% | 55.21 pp |
| 2004 | 29.80% | 61.63% | 7.92% | 53.71 pp |
| 2010 | 31.62% | 65.81% | 6.83% | 58.98 pp |
| 2016 | 32.72% | 64.34% | 7.70% | 56.64 pp |
| 2022 | 26.71% | 59.47% | 8.18% | 51.29 pp |
How Chile Compares Globally
Chile vs South America Average
Compared to other countries in South America, Chile’s top 1% income share of 26.71% is slightly higher than the regional average of 22.53%. The bottom 50% in Chile receives 8.18% of income, compared to the South America average of 10.17%.
Where Chile Ranks Among All Countries
- Top 1% income concentration: Chile ranks 3rd out of 184 countries (higher rank = more concentrated wealth at the top)
- Bottom 50% income share: Chile ranks 178th out of 184 countries (higher rank = larger share for the bottom half)
Countries with similar income inequality levels to Chile include Brazil, Angola's income inequality, Peru.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the income share of the top 1% in Chile?
As of 2024, the top 1% in Chile earned 26.71% of total national income. This level of concentration is considered very high by international standards.
Is income inequality increasing or decreasing in Chile?
Income inequality in Chile has decreased since 1980. The top 1% income share moved from 30.23% in 1980 to 26.71% in 2024.
What percentage of income goes to the bottom 50% in Chile?
In 2024, the bottom 50% of earners in Chile received 8.18% of total national income. This compares with the top 10% who captured 59.47%.
Last updated: April 8, 2026
Data source: World Inequality Database (WID). This dataset covers income distribution metrics for 199 countries from 1980 to 2024.