As of 2024, the top 1% in Colombia earned 22.45% of total national income, while the bottom 50% received just 6.61%. Colombia’s income inequality has decreased since 1980, when the top 1% share was 28.83%.
Key Income Distribution Metrics for Colombia in 2024
In 2024, income in Colombia was distributed as follows: the wealthiest 1% of the population captured 22.45% of total national income, which is notably higher than the global average of 16.17%. Meanwhile, the bottom half of earners received 6.61% of income, significantly lower than the global average of 14.97%.
| Metric | Colombia | Global Average |
|---|---|---|
| Top 1% Income Share | 22.45% | 16.17% |
| Top 10% Income Share | 59.94% | 45.21% |
| Bottom 50% Income Share | 6.61% | 14.97% |
How Has Income Inequality Changed in Colombia?
Top 1% Income Share Trend (1980-2024)
The share of income going to Colombia’s top 1% has decreased over the past 44 years. In 1980, the top 1% captured 28.83% of national income. By 2024, this figure had fallen by 6.38 percentage points to 22.45%.
Top 10% vs Bottom 50% Income Gap Over Time
The income gap between the top 10% and bottom 50% in Colombia has narrowed over this period. In 1980, the top 10% earned 63.97% while the bottom 50% received 6.35%. By 2024, these figures shifted to 59.94% and 6.61% respectively.
| Year | Top 1% | Top 10% | Bottom 50% | Gap (Top 10 – Bottom 50) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 28.83% | 63.97% | 6.35% | 57.62 pp |
| 1986 | 28.83% | 63.97% | 6.35% | 57.62 pp |
| 1992 | 28.83% | 63.97% | 6.35% | 57.62 pp |
| 1998 | 28.83% | 63.97% | 6.35% | 57.62 pp |
| 2004 | 25.83% | 62.24% | 7.16% | 55.08 pp |
| 2010 | 26.48% | 60.07% | 7.74% | 52.33 pp |
| 2016 | 22.74% | 56.70% | 9.50% | 47.20 pp |
| 2022 | 26.96% | 63.31% | 5.84% | 57.47 pp |
How Colombia Compares Globally
Colombia vs South America Average
Compared to other countries in South America, Colombia’s top 1% income share of 22.45% is roughly on par with the regional average of 22.53%. The bottom 50% in Colombia receives 6.61% of income, compared to the South America average of 10.17%.
Where Colombia Ranks Among All Countries
- Top 1% income concentration: Colombia ranks 15th out of 184 countries (higher rank = more concentrated wealth at the top)
- Bottom 50% income share: Colombia ranks 181st out of 184 countries (higher rank = larger share for the bottom half)
Countries with similar income inequality levels to Colombia include Tunisia's wealth gap, income distribution in Mozambique, Bolivia.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the income share of the top 1% in Colombia?
As of 2024, the top 1% in Colombia earned 22.45% of total national income. This level of concentration is considered very high by international standards.
Is income inequality increasing or decreasing in Colombia?
Income inequality in Colombia has decreased since 1980. The top 1% income share moved from 28.83% in 1980 to 22.45% in 2024.
What percentage of income goes to the bottom 50% in Colombia?
In 2024, the bottom 50% of earners in Colombia received 6.61% of total national income. This compares with the top 10% who captured 59.94%.
Last updated: April 8, 2026
Data source: World Inequality Database (WID). This dataset covers income distribution metrics for 199 countries from 1980 to 2024.