As of 2024, the top 1% in Egypt earned 19.12% of total national income, while the bottom 50% received just 15.57%. Egypt’s income inequality has increased since 1980, when the top 1% share was 16.53%.
Key Income Distribution Metrics for Egypt in 2024
In 2024, income in Egypt was distributed as follows: the wealthiest 1% of the population captured 19.12% of total national income, which is slightly higher than the global average of 16.17%. Meanwhile, the bottom half of earners received 15.57% of income, roughly on par with the global average of 14.97%.
| Metric | Egypt | Global Average |
|---|---|---|
| Top 1% Income Share | 19.12% | 16.17% |
| Top 10% Income Share | 49.29% | 45.21% |
| Bottom 50% Income Share | 15.57% | 14.97% |
How Has Income Inequality Changed in Egypt?
Top 1% Income Share Trend (1980-2024)
The share of income going to Egypt’s top 1% has increased over the past 44 years. In 1980, the top 1% captured 16.53% of national income. By 2024, this figure had risen by 2.59 percentage points to 19.12%.
Top 10% vs Bottom 50% Income Gap Over Time
The income gap between the top 10% and bottom 50% in Egypt has widened over this period. In 1980, the top 10% earned 47.14% while the bottom 50% received 17.04%. By 2024, these figures shifted to 49.29% and 15.57% respectively.
| Year | Top 1% | Top 10% | Bottom 50% | Gap (Top 10 – Bottom 50) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 16.53% | 47.14% | 17.04% | 30.10 pp |
| 1986 | 16.53% | 47.14% | 17.04% | 30.10 pp |
| 1992 | 16.77% | 47.00% | 17.26% | 29.74 pp |
| 1998 | 19.32% | 50.64% | 15.41% | 35.23 pp |
| 2004 | 19.14% | 50.54% | 14.87% | 35.67 pp |
| 2010 | 18.17% | 48.65% | 15.98% | 32.67 pp |
| 2016 | 20.79% | 50.53% | 14.75% | 35.78 pp |
| 2022 | 19.12% | 49.29% | 15.57% | 33.72 pp |
How Egypt Compares Globally
Egypt vs Middle East Average
Compared to other countries in Middle East, Egypt’s top 1% income share of 19.12% is slightly lower than the regional average of 21.66%. The bottom 50% in Egypt receives 15.57% of income, compared to the Middle East average of 11.98%.
Where Egypt Ranks Among All Countries
- Top 1% income concentration: Egypt ranks 52nd out of 184 countries (higher rank = more concentrated wealth at the top)
- Bottom 50% income share: Egypt ranks 82nd out of 184 countries (higher rank = larger share for the bottom half)
Countries with similar income inequality levels to Egypt include Cuba, Rwanda's income inequality, Taiwan's income inequality.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the income share of the top 1% in Egypt?
As of 2024, the top 1% in Egypt earned 19.12% of total national income. This level of concentration is considered high by international standards.
Is income inequality increasing or decreasing in Egypt?
Income inequality in Egypt has increased since 1980. The top 1% income share moved from 16.53% in 1980 to 19.12% in 2024.
What percentage of income goes to the bottom 50% in Egypt?
In 2024, the bottom 50% of earners in Egypt received 15.57% of total national income. This compares with the top 10% who captured 49.29%.
Last updated: April 8, 2026
Data source: World Inequality Database (WID). This dataset covers income distribution metrics for 199 countries from 1980 to 2024.