As of 2024, the top 1% in Luxembourg earned 10.23% of total national income, while the bottom 50% received just 20.48%. Luxembourg’s income inequality has decreased since 1980, when the top 1% share was 12.98%.
Key Income Distribution Metrics for Luxembourg in 2024
In 2024, income in Luxembourg was distributed as follows: the wealthiest 1% of the population captured 10.23% of total national income, which is notably lower than the global average of 16.17%. Meanwhile, the bottom half of earners received 20.48% of income, notably higher than the global average of 14.97%.
| Metric | Luxembourg | Global Average |
|---|---|---|
| Top 1% Income Share | 10.23% | 16.17% |
| Top 10% Income Share | 32.61% | 45.21% |
| Bottom 50% Income Share | 20.48% | 14.97% |
How Has Income Inequality Changed in Luxembourg?
Top 1% Income Share Trend (1980-2024)
The share of income going to Luxembourg’s top 1% has decreased over the past 44 years. In 1980, the top 1% captured 12.98% of national income. By 2024, this figure had fallen by 2.75 percentage points to 10.23%.
Top 10% vs Bottom 50% Income Gap Over Time
The income gap between the top 10% and bottom 50% in Luxembourg has narrowed over this period. In 1980, the top 10% earned 35.25% while the bottom 50% received 21.50%. By 2024, these figures shifted to 32.61% and 20.48% respectively.
| Year | Top 1% | Top 10% | Bottom 50% | Gap (Top 10 – Bottom 50) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 12.98% | 35.25% | 21.50% | 13.75 pp |
| 1986 | 13.13% | 35.30% | 21.43% | 13.87 pp |
| 1992 | 13.41% | 35.30% | 21.51% | 13.79 pp |
| 1998 | 17.10% | 40.13% | 18.87% | 21.26 pp |
| 2004 | 18.10% | 41.92% | 18.43% | 23.49 pp |
| 2010 | 13.53% | 36.21% | 20.26% | 15.95 pp |
| 2016 | 12.10% | 34.76% | 19.61% | 15.15 pp |
| 2022 | 11.02% | 33.95% | 19.97% | 13.98 pp |
How Luxembourg Compares Globally
Luxembourg vs Europe Average
Compared to other countries in Europe, Luxembourg’s top 1% income share of 10.23% is slightly lower than the regional average of 10.86%. The bottom 50% in Luxembourg receives 20.48% of income, compared to the Europe average of 20.10%.
Where Luxembourg Ranks Among All Countries
- Top 1% income concentration: Luxembourg ranks 160th out of 184 countries (higher rank = more concentrated wealth at the top)
- Bottom 50% income share: Luxembourg ranks 19th out of 184 countries (higher rank = larger share for the bottom half)
Countries with similar income inequality levels to Luxembourg include Switzerland's income inequality, income distribution in Portugal, Ethiopia.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the income share of the top 1% in Luxembourg?
As of 2024, the top 1% in Luxembourg earned 10.23% of total national income. This level of concentration is considered moderate by international standards.
Is income inequality increasing or decreasing in Luxembourg?
Income inequality in Luxembourg has decreased since 1980. The top 1% income share moved from 12.98% in 1980 to 10.23% in 2024.
What percentage of income goes to the bottom 50% in Luxembourg?
In 2024, the bottom 50% of earners in Luxembourg received 20.48% of total national income. This compares with the top 10% who captured 32.61%.
Last updated: April 8, 2026
Data source: World Inequality Database (WID). This dataset covers income distribution metrics for 199 countries from 1980 to 2024.