As of 2024, the top 1% in Costa Rica earned 18.14% of total national income, while the bottom 50% received just 8.92%. Costa Rica’s income inequality has decreased since 1980, when the top 1% share was 20.15%.
Key Income Distribution Metrics for Costa Rica in 2024
In 2024, income in Costa Rica was distributed as follows: the wealthiest 1% of the population captured 18.14% of total national income, which is slightly higher than the global average of 16.17%. Meanwhile, the bottom half of earners received 8.92% of income, notably lower than the global average of 14.97%.
| Metric | Costa Rica | Global Average |
|---|---|---|
| Top 1% Income Share | 18.14% | 16.17% |
| Top 10% Income Share | 49.74% | 45.21% |
| Bottom 50% Income Share | 8.92% | 14.97% |
| Gini Index | 45.83 | 40.77 |
How Has Income Inequality Changed in Costa Rica?
Top 1% Income Share Trend (1980-2024)
The share of income going to Costa Rica’s top 1% has decreased over the past 44 years. In 1980, the top 1% captured 20.15% of national income. By 2024, this figure had fallen by 2.01 percentage points to 18.14%.
Top 10% vs Bottom 50% Income Gap Over Time
The income gap between the top 10% and bottom 50% in Costa Rica has narrowed over this period. In 1980, the top 10% earned 51.77% while the bottom 50% received 9.71%. By 2024, these figures shifted to 49.74% and 8.92% respectively.
| Year | Top 1% | Top 10% | Bottom 50% | Gap (Top 10 – Bottom 50) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 20.15% | 51.77% | 9.71% | 42.06 pp |
| 1986 | 20.15% | 51.77% | 9.71% | 42.06 pp |
| 1992 | 20.15% | 51.77% | 9.71% | 42.06 pp |
| 1998 | 20.15% | 51.77% | 9.71% | 42.06 pp |
| 2004 | 20.15% | 51.77% | 9.71% | 42.06 pp |
| 2010 | 20.15% | 51.77% | 9.71% | 42.06 pp |
| 2016 | 19.75% | 54.79% | 8.15% | 46.64 pp |
| 2022 | 20.32% | 49.53% | 8.62% | 40.91 pp |
How Costa Rica Compares Globally
Costa Rica vs North America Average
Compared to other countries in North America, Costa Rica’s top 1% income share of 18.14% is slightly lower than the regional average of 20.66%. The bottom 50% in Costa Rica receives 8.92% of income, compared to the North America average of 11.73%.
Where Costa Rica Ranks Among All Countries
- Top 1% income concentration: Costa Rica ranks 57th out of 184 countries (higher rank = more concentrated wealth at the top)
- Bottom 50% income share: Costa Rica ranks 176th out of 184 countries (higher rank = larger share for the bottom half)
Countries with similar income inequality levels to Costa Rica include Tanzania, Cambodia's income inequality, Argentina's wealth gap.
Additional Economic Indicators for Costa Rica
Poverty Rate
The poverty rate in Costa Rica was recorded at 1.28% in 2024.
Gini Index
Costa Rica’s Gini index of 45.83 indicates high inequality. The Gini index ranges from 0 (perfect equality) to 100 (maximum inequality).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the income share of the top 1% in Costa Rica?
As of 2024, the top 1% in Costa Rica earned 18.14% of total national income. This level of concentration is considered high by international standards.
Is income inequality increasing or decreasing in Costa Rica?
Income inequality in Costa Rica has decreased since 1980. The top 1% income share moved from 20.15% in 1980 to 18.14% in 2024.
What percentage of income goes to the bottom 50% in Costa Rica?
In 2024, the bottom 50% of earners in Costa Rica received 8.92% of total national income. This compares with the top 10% who captured 49.74%.
What is the Gini coefficient of Costa Rica?
Costa Rica's Gini index was 45.83 as of 2024. A Gini of 0 represents perfect equality, while 100 represents maximum inequality.
What is the poverty rate in Costa Rica?
The poverty rate in Costa Rica was 1.28% as of 2024.
Last updated: April 8, 2026
Data source: World Inequality Database (WID). This dataset covers income distribution metrics for 199 countries from 1980 to 2024.