As of 2024, the top 1% in Latvia earned 9.33% of total national income, while the bottom 50% received just 17.52%. Latvia’s income inequality has increased since 1980, when the top 1% share was 3.70%.
Key Income Distribution Metrics for Latvia in 2024
In 2024, income in Latvia was distributed as follows: the wealthiest 1% of the population captured 9.33% of total national income, which is notably lower than the global average of 16.17%. Meanwhile, the bottom half of earners received 17.52% of income, slightly higher than the global average of 14.97%.
| Metric | Latvia | Global Average |
|---|---|---|
| Top 1% Income Share | 9.33% | 16.17% |
| Top 10% Income Share | 35.40% | 45.21% |
| Bottom 50% Income Share | 17.52% | 14.97% |
How Has Income Inequality Changed in Latvia?
Top 1% Income Share Trend (1980-2024)
The share of income going to Latvia’s top 1% has increased over the past 44 years. In 1980, the top 1% captured 3.70% of national income. By 2024, this figure had risen by 5.63 percentage points to 9.33%.
Top 10% vs Bottom 50% Income Gap Over Time
The income gap between the top 10% and bottom 50% in Latvia has widened over this period. In 1980, the top 10% earned 22.37% while the bottom 50% received 26.36%. By 2024, these figures shifted to 35.40% and 17.52% respectively.
| Year | Top 1% | Top 10% | Bottom 50% | Gap (Top 10 – Bottom 50) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 3.70% | 22.37% | 26.36% | -3.99 pp |
| 1986 | 3.70% | 22.37% | 26.36% | -3.99 pp |
| 1992 | 5.98% | 27.05% | 22.91% | 4.14 pp |
| 1998 | 10.97% | 36.56% | 17.58% | 18.98 pp |
| 2004 | 11.31% | 38.66% | 17.00% | 21.66 pp |
| 2010 | 9.76% | 36.38% | 19.06% | 17.32 pp |
| 2016 | 8.59% | 34.17% | 18.28% | 15.89 pp |
| 2022 | 9.61% | 35.66% | 17.37% | 18.29 pp |
How Latvia Compares Globally
Latvia vs Europe Average
Compared to other countries in Europe, Latvia’s top 1% income share of 9.33% is slightly lower than the regional average of 10.86%. The bottom 50% in Latvia receives 17.52% of income, compared to the Europe average of 20.10%.
Where Latvia Ranks Among All Countries
- Top 1% income concentration: Latvia ranks 169th out of 184 countries (higher rank = more concentrated wealth at the top)
- Bottom 50% income share: Latvia ranks 44th out of 184 countries (higher rank = larger share for the bottom half)
Countries with similar income inequality levels to Latvia include income distribution in Ukraine, income distribution in Albania, Finland.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the income share of the top 1% in Latvia?
As of 2024, the top 1% in Latvia earned 9.33% of total national income. This level of concentration is considered relatively low by international standards.
Is income inequality increasing or decreasing in Latvia?
Income inequality in Latvia has increased since 1980. The top 1% income share moved from 3.70% in 1980 to 9.33% in 2024.
What percentage of income goes to the bottom 50% in Latvia?
In 2024, the bottom 50% of earners in Latvia received 17.52% of total national income. This compares with the top 10% who captured 35.40%.
Last updated: April 8, 2026
Data source: World Inequality Database (WID). This dataset covers income distribution metrics for 199 countries from 1980 to 2024.