As of 2024, the top 1% in Ecuador earned 17.83% of total national income, while the bottom 50% received just 11.18%. Ecuador’s income inequality has decreased since 1980, when the top 1% share was 22.86%.
Key Income Distribution Metrics for Ecuador in 2024
In 2024, income in Ecuador was distributed as follows: the wealthiest 1% of the population captured 17.83% of total national income, which is slightly higher than the global average of 16.17%. Meanwhile, the bottom half of earners received 11.18% of income, notably lower than the global average of 14.97%.
| Metric | Ecuador | Global Average |
|---|---|---|
| Top 1% Income Share | 17.83% | 16.17% |
| Top 10% Income Share | 45.05% | 45.21% |
| Bottom 50% Income Share | 11.18% | 14.97% |
| Gini Index | 45.20 | 40.77 |
How Has Income Inequality Changed in Ecuador?
Top 1% Income Share Trend (1980-2024)
The share of income going to Ecuador’s top 1% has decreased over the past 44 years. In 1980, the top 1% captured 22.86% of national income. By 2024, this figure had fallen by 5.03 percentage points to 17.83%.
Top 10% vs Bottom 50% Income Gap Over Time
The income gap between the top 10% and bottom 50% in Ecuador has narrowed over this period. In 1980, the top 10% earned 54.43% while the bottom 50% received 8.90%. By 2024, these figures shifted to 45.05% and 11.18% respectively.
| Year | Top 1% | Top 10% | Bottom 50% | Gap (Top 10 – Bottom 50) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 22.86% | 54.43% | 8.90% | 45.53 pp |
| 1986 | 22.86% | 54.43% | 8.90% | 45.53 pp |
| 1992 | 22.86% | 54.43% | 8.90% | 45.53 pp |
| 1998 | 22.86% | 54.43% | 8.90% | 45.53 pp |
| 2004 | 22.70% | 51.88% | 9.69% | 42.19 pp |
| 2010 | 18.20% | 50.73% | 9.92% | 40.81 pp |
| 2016 | 15.17% | 40.61% | 13.63% | 26.98 pp |
| 2022 | 17.41% | 45.65% | 10.73% | 34.92 pp |
How Ecuador Compares Globally
Ecuador vs South America Average
Compared to other countries in South America, Ecuador’s top 1% income share of 17.83% is notably lower than the regional average of 22.53%. The bottom 50% in Ecuador receives 11.18% of income, compared to the South America average of 10.17%.
Where Ecuador Ranks Among All Countries
- Top 1% income concentration: Ecuador ranks 65th out of 184 countries (higher rank = more concentrated wealth at the top)
- Bottom 50% income share: Ecuador ranks 147th out of 184 countries (higher rank = larger share for the bottom half)
Countries with similar income inequality levels to Ecuador include Jordan, Hong Kong's wealth gap, income distribution in Indonesia.
Additional Economic Indicators for Ecuador
Poverty Rate
The poverty rate in Ecuador was recorded at 7.31% in 2024.
Gini Index
Ecuador’s Gini index of 45.20 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 Ecuador?
As of 2024, the top 1% in Ecuador earned 17.83% of total national income. This level of concentration is considered high by international standards.
Is income inequality increasing or decreasing in Ecuador?
Income inequality in Ecuador has decreased since 1980. The top 1% income share moved from 22.86% in 1980 to 17.83% in 2024.
What percentage of income goes to the bottom 50% in Ecuador?
In 2024, the bottom 50% of earners in Ecuador received 11.18% of total national income. This compares with the top 10% who captured 45.05%.
What is the Gini coefficient of Ecuador?
Ecuador's Gini index was 45.20 as of 2024. A Gini of 0 represents perfect equality, while 100 represents maximum inequality.
What is the poverty rate in Ecuador?
The poverty rate in Ecuador was 7.31% 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.