As of 2024, the top 1% in Nigeria earned 12.29% of total national income, while the bottom 50% received just 16.07%. Nigeria’s income inequality has increased since 1980, when the top 1% share was 9.26%.
Key Income Distribution Metrics for Nigeria in 2024
In 2024, income in Nigeria was distributed as follows: the wealthiest 1% of the population captured 12.29% of total national income, which is notably lower than the global average of 16.17%. Meanwhile, the bottom half of earners received 16.07% of income, slightly higher than the global average of 14.97%.
| Metric | Nigeria | Global Average |
|---|---|---|
| Top 1% Income Share | 12.29% | 16.17% |
| Top 10% Income Share | 42.39% | 45.21% |
| Bottom 50% Income Share | 16.07% | 14.97% |
How Has Income Inequality Changed in Nigeria?
Top 1% Income Share Trend (1980-2024)
The share of income going to Nigeria’s top 1% has increased over the past 44 years. In 1980, the top 1% captured 9.26% of national income. By 2024, this figure had risen by 3.03 percentage points to 12.29%.
Top 10% vs Bottom 50% Income Gap Over Time
The income gap between the top 10% and bottom 50% in Nigeria has narrowed over this period. In 1980, the top 10% earned 43.53% while the bottom 50% received 13.93%. By 2024, these figures shifted to 42.39% and 16.07% respectively.
| Year | Top 1% | Top 10% | Bottom 50% | Gap (Top 10 – Bottom 50) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 9.26% | 43.53% | 13.93% | 29.60 pp |
| 1986 | 9.55% | 44.00% | 13.59% | 30.41 pp |
| 1992 | 11.26% | 46.80% | 11.54% | 35.26 pp |
| 1998 | 12.53% | 46.49% | 12.60% | 33.89 pp |
| 2004 | 13.11% | 45.69% | 13.72% | 31.97 pp |
| 2010 | 10.24% | 42.35% | 15.20% | 27.15 pp |
| 2016 | 10.73% | 42.56% | 15.23% | 27.33 pp |
| 2022 | 12.29% | 42.39% | 16.07% | 26.32 pp |
How Nigeria Compares Globally
Nigeria vs Africa Average
Compared to other countries in Africa, Nigeria’s top 1% income share of 12.29% is notably lower than the regional average of 15.62%. The bottom 50% in Nigeria receives 16.07% of income, compared to the Africa average of 13.46%.
Where Nigeria Ranks Among All Countries
- Top 1% income concentration: Nigeria ranks 138th out of 184 countries (higher rank = more concentrated wealth at the top)
- Bottom 50% income share: Nigeria ranks 64th out of 184 countries (higher rank = larger share for the bottom half)
Countries with similar income inequality levels to Nigeria include income distribution in Liberia, Denmark's income inequality, Moldova's wealth gap.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the income share of the top 1% in Nigeria?
As of 2024, the top 1% in Nigeria earned 12.29% of total national income. This level of concentration is considered moderate by international standards.
Is income inequality increasing or decreasing in Nigeria?
Income inequality in Nigeria has increased since 1980. The top 1% income share moved from 9.26% in 1980 to 12.29% in 2024.
What percentage of income goes to the bottom 50% in Nigeria?
In 2024, the bottom 50% of earners in Nigeria received 16.07% of total national income. This compares with the top 10% who captured 42.39%.
Last updated: April 8, 2026
Data source: World Inequality Database (WID). This dataset covers income distribution metrics for 199 countries from 1980 to 2024.