As of 2024, the top 1% in Guinea-Bissau earned 11.03% of total national income, while the bottom 50% received just 16.05%. Guinea-Bissau’s income inequality has decreased since 1980, when the top 1% share was 23.28%.
Key Income Distribution Metrics for Guinea-Bissau in 2024
In 2024, income in Guinea-Bissau was distributed as follows: the wealthiest 1% of the population captured 11.03% of total national income, which is notably lower than the global average of 16.17%. Meanwhile, the bottom half of earners received 16.05% of income, slightly higher than the global average of 14.97%.
| Metric | Guinea-Bissau | Global Average |
|---|---|---|
| Top 1% Income Share | 11.03% | 16.17% |
| Top 10% Income Share | 42.10% | 45.21% |
| Bottom 50% Income Share | 16.05% | 14.97% |
How Has Income Inequality Changed in Guinea-Bissau?
Top 1% Income Share Trend (1980-2024)
The share of income going to Guinea-Bissau’s top 1% has decreased over the past 44 years. In 1980, the top 1% captured 23.28% of national income. By 2024, this figure had fallen by 12.25 percentage points to 11.03%.
Top 10% vs Bottom 50% Income Gap Over Time
The income gap between the top 10% and bottom 50% in Guinea-Bissau has narrowed over this period. In 1980, the top 10% earned 59.57% while the bottom 50% received 7.71%. By 2024, these figures shifted to 42.10% and 16.05% respectively.
| Year | Top 1% | Top 10% | Bottom 50% | Gap (Top 10 – Bottom 50) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 23.28% | 59.57% | 7.71% | 51.86 pp |
| 1986 | 23.28% | 59.57% | 7.71% | 51.86 pp |
| 1992 | 21.48% | 56.06% | 9.72% | 46.34 pp |
| 1998 | 16.63% | 48.30% | 13.71% | 34.59 pp |
| 2004 | 14.93% | 48.73% | 13.86% | 34.87 pp |
| 2010 | 17.10% | 60.13% | 9.59% | 50.54 pp |
| 2016 | 13.84% | 48.23% | 13.94% | 34.29 pp |
| 2022 | 11.03% | 42.10% | 16.05% | 26.05 pp |
How Guinea-Bissau Compares Globally
Guinea-Bissau vs Africa Average
Compared to other countries in Africa, Guinea-Bissau’s top 1% income share of 11.03% is notably lower than the regional average of 15.62%. The bottom 50% in Guinea-Bissau receives 16.05% of income, compared to the Africa average of 13.46%.
Where Guinea-Bissau Ranks Among All Countries
- Top 1% income concentration: Guinea-Bissau ranks 153rd out of 184 countries (higher rank = more concentrated wealth at the top)
- Bottom 50% income share: Guinea-Bissau ranks 66th out of 184 countries (higher rank = larger share for the bottom half)
Countries with similar income inequality levels to Guinea-Bissau include Gabon's wealth gap, Malta's income inequality, Australia's income inequality.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the income share of the top 1% in Guinea-Bissau?
As of 2024, the top 1% in Guinea-Bissau earned 11.03% of total national income. This level of concentration is considered moderate by international standards.
Is income inequality increasing or decreasing in Guinea-Bissau?
Income inequality in Guinea-Bissau has decreased since 1980. The top 1% income share moved from 23.28% in 1980 to 11.03% in 2024.
What percentage of income goes to the bottom 50% in Guinea-Bissau?
In 2024, the bottom 50% of earners in Guinea-Bissau received 16.05% of total national income. This compares with the top 10% who captured 42.10%.
Last updated: April 8, 2026
Data source: World Inequality Database (WID). This dataset covers income distribution metrics for 199 countries from 1980 to 2024.