As of 2024, the top 1% in El Salvador earned 16.73% of total national income, while the bottom 50% received just 10.50%. El Salvador’s income inequality has decreased since 1980, when the top 1% share was 19.23%.
Key Income Distribution Metrics for El Salvador in 2024
In 2024, income in El Salvador was distributed as follows: the wealthiest 1% of the population captured 16.73% of total national income, which is roughly on par with the global average of 16.17%. Meanwhile, the bottom half of earners received 10.50% of income, notably lower than the global average of 14.97%.
| Metric | El Salvador | Global Average |
|---|---|---|
| Top 1% Income Share | 16.73% | 16.17% |
| Top 10% Income Share | 44.13% | 45.21% |
| Bottom 50% Income Share | 10.50% | 14.97% |
How Has Income Inequality Changed in El Salvador?
Top 1% Income Share Trend (1980-2024)
The share of income going to El Salvador’s top 1% has decreased over the past 44 years. In 1980, the top 1% captured 19.23% of national income. By 2024, this figure had fallen by 2.50 percentage points to 16.73%.
Top 10% vs Bottom 50% Income Gap Over Time
The income gap between the top 10% and bottom 50% in El Salvador has narrowed over this period. In 1980, the top 10% earned 50.85% while the bottom 50% received 7.08%. By 2024, these figures shifted to 44.13% and 10.50% respectively.
| Year | Top 1% | Top 10% | Bottom 50% | Gap (Top 10 – Bottom 50) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 19.23% | 50.85% | 7.08% | 43.77 pp |
| 1986 | 19.23% | 50.85% | 7.08% | 43.77 pp |
| 1992 | 19.23% | 50.85% | 7.08% | 43.77 pp |
| 1998 | 19.23% | 50.85% | 7.08% | 43.77 pp |
| 2004 | 19.94% | 50.50% | 8.23% | 42.27 pp |
| 2010 | 15.88% | 47.46% | 8.73% | 38.73 pp |
| 2016 | 24.07% | 48.78% | 8.57% | 40.21 pp |
| 2022 | 14.75% | 42.40% | 10.54% | 31.86 pp |
How El Salvador Compares Globally
El Salvador vs North America Average
Compared to other countries in North America, El Salvador’s top 1% income share of 16.73% is slightly lower than the regional average of 20.66%. The bottom 50% in El Salvador receives 10.50% of income, compared to the North America average of 11.73%.
Where El Salvador Ranks Among All Countries
- Top 1% income concentration: El Salvador ranks 71st out of 184 countries (higher rank = more concentrated wealth at the top)
- Bottom 50% income share: El Salvador ranks 150th out of 184 countries (higher rank = larger share for the bottom half)
Countries with similar income inequality levels to El Salvador include income distribution in Libya, income distribution in Myanmar, Pakistan's income inequality.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the income share of the top 1% in El Salvador?
As of 2024, the top 1% in El Salvador earned 16.73% of total national income. This level of concentration is considered high by international standards.
Is income inequality increasing or decreasing in El Salvador?
Income inequality in El Salvador has decreased since 1980. The top 1% income share moved from 19.23% in 1980 to 16.73% in 2024.
What percentage of income goes to the bottom 50% in El Salvador?
In 2024, the bottom 50% of earners in El Salvador received 10.50% of total national income. This compares with the top 10% who captured 44.13%.
Last updated: April 8, 2026
Data source: World Inequality Database (WID). This dataset covers income distribution metrics for 199 countries from 1980 to 2024.