As of 2024, the top 1% in Guyana earned 21.97% of total national income, while the bottom 50% received just 10.11%. Guyana’s income inequality has remained relatively stable since 1980, when the top 1% share was 22.27%.
Key Income Distribution Metrics for Guyana in 2024
In 2024, income in Guyana was distributed as follows: the wealthiest 1% of the population captured 21.97% of total national income, which is notably higher than the global average of 16.17%. Meanwhile, the bottom half of earners received 10.11% of income, notably lower than the global average of 14.97%.
| Metric | Guyana | Global Average |
|---|---|---|
| Top 1% Income Share | 21.97% | 16.17% |
| Top 10% Income Share | 52.12% | 45.21% |
| Bottom 50% Income Share | 10.11% | 14.97% |
How Has Income Inequality Changed in Guyana?
Top 1% Income Share Trend (1980-2024)
The share of income going to Guyana’s top 1% has remained relatively stable over the past 44 years. In 1980, the top 1% captured 22.27% of national income. By 2024, this figure had fallen by 0.30 percentage points to 21.97%.
Top 10% vs Bottom 50% Income Gap Over Time
The income gap between the top 10% and bottom 50% in Guyana has narrowed over this period. In 1980, the top 10% earned 55.41% while the bottom 50% received 8.39%. By 2024, these figures shifted to 52.12% and 10.11% respectively.
| Year | Top 1% | Top 10% | Bottom 50% | Gap (Top 10 – Bottom 50) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 22.27% | 55.41% | 8.39% | 47.02 pp |
| 1986 | 22.27% | 55.41% | 8.39% | 47.02 pp |
| 1992 | 22.27% | 55.41% | 8.39% | 47.02 pp |
| 1998 | 22.27% | 55.41% | 8.39% | 47.02 pp |
| 2004 | 24.14% | 55.88% | 8.72% | 47.16 pp |
| 2010 | 23.78% | 54.55% | 9.47% | 45.08 pp |
| 2016 | 23.45% | 52.95% | 10.28% | 42.67 pp |
| 2022 | 21.99% | 52.14% | 10.14% | 42.00 pp |
How Guyana Compares Globally
Guyana vs South America Average
Compared to other countries in South America, Guyana’s top 1% income share of 21.97% is roughly on par with the regional average of 22.53%. The bottom 50% in Guyana receives 10.11% of income, compared to the South America average of 10.17%.
Where Guyana Ranks Among All Countries
- Top 1% income concentration: Guyana ranks 29th out of 184 countries (higher rank = more concentrated wealth at the top)
- Bottom 50% income share: Guyana ranks 153rd out of 184 countries (higher rank = larger share for the bottom half)
Countries with similar income inequality levels to Guyana include Bahamas's wealth gap, Belize's income inequality, Bolivia's income inequality.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the income share of the top 1% in Guyana?
As of 2024, the top 1% in Guyana earned 21.97% of total national income. This level of concentration is considered very high by international standards.
Is income inequality increasing or decreasing in Guyana?
Income inequality in Guyana has remained relatively stable since 1980. The top 1% income share moved from 22.27% in 1980 to 21.97% in 2024.
What percentage of income goes to the bottom 50% in Guyana?
In 2024, the bottom 50% of earners in Guyana received 10.11% of total national income. This compares with the top 10% who captured 52.12%.
Last updated: April 8, 2026
Data source: World Inequality Database (WID). This dataset covers income distribution metrics for 199 countries from 1980 to 2024.