As of 2024, the top 1% in Iraq earned 44.60% of total national income, while the bottom 50% received just 6.50%. Iraq’s income inequality has increased since 1980, when the top 1% share was 24.41%.
Key Income Distribution Metrics for Iraq in 2024
In 2024, income in Iraq was distributed as follows: the wealthiest 1% of the population captured 44.60% of total national income, which is significantly higher than the global average of 16.17%. Meanwhile, the bottom half of earners received 6.50% of income, significantly lower than the global average of 14.97%.
| Metric | Iraq | Global Average |
|---|---|---|
| Top 1% Income Share | 44.60% | 16.17% |
| Top 10% Income Share | 70.85% | 45.21% |
| Bottom 50% Income Share | 6.50% | 14.97% |
How Has Income Inequality Changed in Iraq?
Top 1% Income Share Trend (1980-2024)
The share of income going to Iraq’s top 1% has increased over the past 44 years. In 1980, the top 1% captured 24.41% of national income. By 2024, this figure had risen by 20.19 percentage points to 44.60%.
Top 10% vs Bottom 50% Income Gap Over Time
The income gap between the top 10% and bottom 50% in Iraq has widened over this period. In 1980, the top 10% earned 55.33% while the bottom 50% received 11.83%. By 2024, these figures shifted to 70.85% and 6.50% respectively.
| Year | Top 1% | Top 10% | Bottom 50% | Gap (Top 10 – Bottom 50) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 24.41% | 55.33% | 11.83% | 43.50 pp |
| 1986 | 24.41% | 55.33% | 11.83% | 43.50 pp |
| 1992 | 24.41% | 55.33% | 11.83% | 43.50 pp |
| 1998 | 24.41% | 55.33% | 11.83% | 43.50 pp |
| 2004 | 24.41% | 55.33% | 11.83% | 43.50 pp |
| 2010 | 24.89% | 54.76% | 13.28% | 41.48 pp |
| 2016 | 22.63% | 51.89% | 13.95% | 37.94 pp |
| 2022 | 38.10% | 66.71% | 8.11% | 58.60 pp |
How Iraq Compares Globally
Iraq vs Middle East Average
Compared to other countries in Middle East, Iraq’s top 1% income share of 44.60% is significantly higher than the regional average of 21.66%. The bottom 50% in Iraq receives 6.50% of income, compared to the Middle East average of 11.98%.
Where Iraq Ranks Among All Countries
- Top 1% income concentration: Iraq ranks 1st out of 184 countries (higher rank = more concentrated wealth at the top)
- Bottom 50% income share: Iraq ranks 183rd out of 184 countries (higher rank = larger share for the bottom half)
Countries with similar income inequality levels to Iraq include Peru's income inequality, Chile's wealth gap, Brazil's income inequality.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the income share of the top 1% in Iraq?
As of 2024, the top 1% in Iraq earned 44.60% of total national income. This level of concentration is considered very high by international standards.
Is income inequality increasing or decreasing in Iraq?
Income inequality in Iraq has increased since 1980. The top 1% income share moved from 24.41% in 1980 to 44.60% in 2024.
What percentage of income goes to the bottom 50% in Iraq?
In 2024, the bottom 50% of earners in Iraq received 6.50% of total national income. This compares with the top 10% who captured 70.85%.
Last updated: April 8, 2026
Data source: World Inequality Database (WID). This dataset covers income distribution metrics for 199 countries from 1980 to 2024.