As of 2024, the top 1% in Mauritius earned 15.89% of total national income, while the bottom 50% received just 14.80%. Mauritius’s income inequality has increased since 1980, when the top 1% share was 13.75%.
Key Income Distribution Metrics for Mauritius in 2024
In 2024, income in Mauritius was distributed as follows: the wealthiest 1% of the population captured 15.89% of total national income, which is roughly on par with the global average of 16.17%. Meanwhile, the bottom half of earners received 14.80% of income, roughly on par with the global average of 14.97%.
| Metric | Mauritius | Global Average |
|---|---|---|
| Top 1% Income Share | 15.89% | 16.17% |
| Top 10% Income Share | 47.40% | 45.21% |
| Bottom 50% Income Share | 14.80% | 14.97% |
How Has Income Inequality Changed in Mauritius?
Top 1% Income Share Trend (1980-2024)
The share of income going to Mauritius’s top 1% has increased over the past 44 years. In 1980, the top 1% captured 13.75% of national income. By 2024, this figure had risen by 2.14 percentage points to 15.89%.
Top 10% vs Bottom 50% Income Gap Over Time
The income gap between the top 10% and bottom 50% in Mauritius has widened over this period. In 1980, the top 10% earned 45.78% while the bottom 50% received 15.20%. By 2024, these figures shifted to 47.40% and 14.80% respectively.
| Year | Top 1% | Top 10% | Bottom 50% | Gap (Top 10 – Bottom 50) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 13.75% | 45.78% | 15.20% | 30.58 pp |
| 1986 | 13.75% | 45.78% | 15.20% | 30.58 pp |
| 1992 | 13.75% | 45.78% | 15.20% | 30.58 pp |
| 1998 | 13.75% | 45.78% | 15.20% | 30.58 pp |
| 2004 | 13.75% | 45.78% | 15.20% | 30.58 pp |
| 2010 | 15.93% | 48.36% | 14.41% | 33.95 pp |
| 2016 | 16.12% | 47.85% | 14.65% | 33.20 pp |
| 2022 | 15.89% | 47.40% | 14.80% | 32.60 pp |
How Mauritius Compares Globally
Mauritius vs Africa Average
Compared to other countries in Africa, Mauritius’s top 1% income share of 15.89% is roughly on par with the regional average of 15.62%. The bottom 50% in Mauritius receives 14.80% of income, compared to the Africa average of 13.46%.
Where Mauritius Ranks Among All Countries
- Top 1% income concentration: Mauritius ranks 95th out of 184 countries (higher rank = more concentrated wealth at the top)
- Bottom 50% income share: Mauritius ranks 93rd out of 184 countries (higher rank = larger share for the bottom half)
Countries with similar income inequality levels to Mauritius include Djibouti's income inequality, Sao Tome and Principe's income inequality, Gambia's income inequality.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the income share of the top 1% in Mauritius?
As of 2024, the top 1% in Mauritius earned 15.89% of total national income. This level of concentration is considered high by international standards.
Is income inequality increasing or decreasing in Mauritius?
Income inequality in Mauritius has increased since 1980. The top 1% income share moved from 13.75% in 1980 to 15.89% in 2024.
What percentage of income goes to the bottom 50% in Mauritius?
In 2024, the bottom 50% of earners in Mauritius received 14.80% of total national income. This compares with the top 10% who captured 47.40%.
Last updated: April 8, 2026
Data source: World Inequality Database (WID). This dataset covers income distribution metrics for 199 countries from 1980 to 2024.