As of 2024, the top 1% in Jordan earned 17.83% of total national income, while the bottom 50% received just 14.40%. Jordan’s income inequality has remained relatively stable since 1980, when the top 1% share was 17.80%.
Key Income Distribution Metrics for Jordan in 2024
In 2024, income in Jordan was distributed as follows: the wealthiest 1% of the population captured 17.83% of total national income, which is slightly higher than the global average of 16.17%. Meanwhile, the bottom half of earners received 14.40% of income, roughly on par with the global average of 14.97%.
| Metric | Jordan | Global Average |
|---|---|---|
| Top 1% Income Share | 17.83% | 16.17% |
| Top 10% Income Share | 49.63% | 45.21% |
| Bottom 50% Income Share | 14.40% | 14.97% |
How Has Income Inequality Changed in Jordan?
Top 1% Income Share Trend (1980-2024)
The share of income going to Jordan’s top 1% has remained relatively stable over the past 44 years. In 1980, the top 1% captured 17.80% of national income. By 2024, this figure had risen by 0.03 percentage points to 17.83%.
Top 10% vs Bottom 50% Income Gap Over Time
The income gap between the top 10% and bottom 50% in Jordan has widened over this period. In 1980, the top 10% earned 49.33% while the bottom 50% received 14.14%. By 2024, these figures shifted to 49.63% and 14.40% respectively.
| Year | Top 1% | Top 10% | Bottom 50% | Gap (Top 10 – Bottom 50) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 17.80% | 49.33% | 14.14% | 35.19 pp |
| 1986 | 17.80% | 49.33% | 14.14% | 35.19 pp |
| 1992 | 23.25% | 54.51% | 11.78% | 42.73 pp |
| 1998 | 16.64% | 47.44% | 14.78% | 32.66 pp |
| 2004 | 20.10% | 51.39% | 13.26% | 38.13 pp |
| 2010 | 23.53% | 53.55% | 13.53% | 40.02 pp |
| 2016 | 17.83% | 49.63% | 14.40% | 35.23 pp |
| 2022 | 17.83% | 49.63% | 14.40% | 35.23 pp |
How Jordan Compares Globally
Jordan vs Middle East Average
Compared to other countries in Middle East, Jordan’s top 1% income share of 17.83% is slightly lower than the regional average of 21.66%. The bottom 50% in Jordan receives 14.40% of income, compared to the Middle East average of 11.98%.
Where Jordan Ranks Among All Countries
- Top 1% income concentration: Jordan ranks 64th out of 184 countries (higher rank = more concentrated wealth at the top)
- Bottom 50% income share: Jordan ranks 99th out of 184 countries (higher rank = larger share for the bottom half)
Countries with similar income inequality levels to Jordan include Ecuador, Hong Kong's wealth gap, income distribution in Indonesia.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the income share of the top 1% in Jordan?
As of 2024, the top 1% in Jordan earned 17.83% of total national income. This level of concentration is considered high by international standards.
Is income inequality increasing or decreasing in Jordan?
Income inequality in Jordan has remained relatively stable since 1980. The top 1% income share moved from 17.80% in 1980 to 17.83% in 2024.
What percentage of income goes to the bottom 50% in Jordan?
In 2024, the bottom 50% of earners in Jordan received 14.40% of total national income. This compares with the top 10% who captured 49.63%.
Last updated: April 8, 2026
Data source: World Inequality Database (WID). This dataset covers income distribution metrics for 199 countries from 1980 to 2024.