As of 2024, the top 1% in Kyrgyzstan earned 18.09% of total national income, while the bottom 50% received just 16.87%. Kyrgyzstan’s income inequality has increased since 1980, when the top 1% share was 4.06%.
Key Income Distribution Metrics for Kyrgyzstan in 2024
In 2024, income in Kyrgyzstan was distributed as follows: the wealthiest 1% of the population captured 18.09% of total national income, which is slightly higher than the global average of 16.17%. Meanwhile, the bottom half of earners received 16.87% of income, slightly higher than the global average of 14.97%.
| Metric | Kyrgyzstan | Global Average |
|---|---|---|
| Top 1% Income Share | 18.09% | 16.17% |
| Top 10% Income Share | 43.27% | 45.21% |
| Bottom 50% Income Share | 16.87% | 14.97% |
How Has Income Inequality Changed in Kyrgyzstan?
Top 1% Income Share Trend (1980-2024)
The share of income going to Kyrgyzstan’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 14.03 percentage points to 18.09%.
Top 10% vs Bottom 50% Income Gap Over Time
The income gap between the top 10% and bottom 50% in Kyrgyzstan 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 43.27% and 16.87% 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 | 9.48% | 28.79% | 25.30% | 3.49 pp |
| 1998 | 15.58% | 43.35% | 16.05% | 27.30 pp |
| 2004 | 13.96% | 42.81% | 15.22% | 27.59 pp |
| 2010 | 14.07% | 40.32% | 17.63% | 22.69 pp |
| 2016 | 12.15% | 37.84% | 19.20% | 18.64 pp |
| 2022 | 18.09% | 43.27% | 16.87% | 26.40 pp |
How Kyrgyzstan Compares Globally
Kyrgyzstan vs Asia Average
Compared to other countries in Asia, Kyrgyzstan’s top 1% income share of 18.09% is slightly higher than the regional average of 16.42%. The bottom 50% in Kyrgyzstan receives 16.87% of income, compared to the Asia average of 15.41%.
Where Kyrgyzstan Ranks Among All Countries
- Top 1% income concentration: Kyrgyzstan ranks 60th out of 184 countries (higher rank = more concentrated wealth at the top)
- Bottom 50% income share: Kyrgyzstan ranks 55th out of 184 countries (higher rank = larger share for the bottom half)
Countries with similar income inequality levels to Kyrgyzstan include Argentina, Cambodia's income inequality, income distribution in Costa Rica.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the income share of the top 1% in Kyrgyzstan?
As of 2024, the top 1% in Kyrgyzstan earned 18.09% of total national income. This level of concentration is considered high by international standards.
Is income inequality increasing or decreasing in Kyrgyzstan?
Income inequality in Kyrgyzstan has increased since 1980. The top 1% income share moved from 4.06% in 1980 to 18.09% in 2024.
What percentage of income goes to the bottom 50% in Kyrgyzstan?
In 2024, the bottom 50% of earners in Kyrgyzstan received 16.87% of total national income. This compares with the top 10% who captured 43.27%.
Last updated: April 8, 2026
Data source: World Inequality Database (WID). This dataset covers income distribution metrics for 199 countries from 1980 to 2024.