As of 2024, the top 1% in Kazakhstan earned 14.88% of total national income, while the bottom 50% received just 16.44%. Kazakhstan’s income inequality has increased since 1980, when the top 1% share was 4.06%.
Key Income Distribution Metrics for Kazakhstan in 2024
In 2024, income in Kazakhstan was distributed as follows: the wealthiest 1% of the population captured 14.88% of total national income, which is slightly lower than the global average of 16.17%. Meanwhile, the bottom half of earners received 16.44% of income, slightly higher than the global average of 14.97%.
| Metric | Kazakhstan | Global Average |
|---|---|---|
| Top 1% Income Share | 14.88% | 16.17% |
| Top 10% Income Share | 41.20% | 45.21% |
| Bottom 50% Income Share | 16.44% | 14.97% |
How Has Income Inequality Changed in Kazakhstan?
Top 1% Income Share Trend (1980-2024)
The share of income going to Kazakhstan’s top 1% has increased over the past 44 years. In 1980, the top 1% captured 4.06% of national income. By 2024, this figure had risen by 10.82 percentage points to 14.88%.
Top 10% vs Bottom 50% Income Gap Over Time
The income gap between the top 10% and bottom 50% in Kazakhstan has widened over this period. In 1980, the top 10% earned 24.72% while the bottom 50% received 27.73%. By 2024, these figures shifted to 41.20% and 16.44% respectively.
| Year | Top 1% | Top 10% | Bottom 50% | Gap (Top 10 – Bottom 50) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 4.06% | 24.72% | 27.73% | -3.01 pp |
| 1986 | 5.00% | 24.68% | 27.61% | -2.93 pp |
| 1992 | 9.57% | 31.46% | 22.54% | 8.92 pp |
| 1998 | 14.08% | 42.60% | 14.66% | 27.94 pp |
| 2004 | 12.88% | 39.76% | 17.54% | 22.22 pp |
| 2010 | 15.18% | 41.38% | 16.01% | 25.37 pp |
| 2016 | 14.61% | 40.47% | 16.71% | 23.76 pp |
| 2022 | 14.88% | 41.20% | 16.44% | 24.76 pp |
How Kazakhstan Compares Globally
Kazakhstan vs Asia Average
Compared to other countries in Asia, Kazakhstan’s top 1% income share of 14.88% is slightly lower than the regional average of 16.42%. The bottom 50% in Kazakhstan receives 16.44% of income, compared to the Asia average of 15.41%.
Where Kazakhstan Ranks Among All Countries
- Top 1% income concentration: Kazakhstan ranks 108th out of 184 countries (higher rank = more concentrated wealth at the top)
- Bottom 50% income share: Kazakhstan ranks 60th out of 184 countries (higher rank = larger share for the bottom half)
Countries with similar income inequality levels to Kazakhstan include Armenia's wealth gap, North Korea's wealth gap, Sierra Leone's wealth gap.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the income share of the top 1% in Kazakhstan?
As of 2024, the top 1% in Kazakhstan earned 14.88% of total national income. This level of concentration is considered moderate by international standards.
Is income inequality increasing or decreasing in Kazakhstan?
Income inequality in Kazakhstan has increased since 1980. The top 1% income share moved from 4.06% in 1980 to 14.88% in 2024.
What percentage of income goes to the bottom 50% in Kazakhstan?
In 2024, the bottom 50% of earners in Kazakhstan received 16.44% of total national income. This compares with the top 10% who captured 41.20%.
Last updated: April 8, 2026
Data source: World Inequality Database (WID). This dataset covers income distribution metrics for 199 countries from 1980 to 2024.