As of 2024, the top 1% in Palestine earned 16.24% of total national income, while the bottom 50% received just 10.21%. Palestine’s income inequality has decreased since 1980, when the top 1% share was 20.18%.
Key Income Distribution Metrics for Palestine in 2024
In 2024, income in Palestine was distributed as follows: the wealthiest 1% of the population captured 16.24% of total national income, which is roughly on par with the global average of 16.17%. Meanwhile, the bottom half of earners received 10.21% of income, notably lower than the global average of 14.97%.
| Metric | Palestine | Global Average |
|---|---|---|
| Top 1% Income Share | 16.24% | 16.17% |
| Top 10% Income Share | 51.51% | 45.21% |
| Bottom 50% Income Share | 10.21% | 14.97% |
How Has Income Inequality Changed in Palestine?
Top 1% Income Share Trend (1980-2024)
The share of income going to Palestine’s top 1% has decreased over the past 44 years. In 1980, the top 1% captured 20.18% of national income. By 2024, this figure had fallen by 3.94 percentage points to 16.24%.
Top 10% vs Bottom 50% Income Gap Over Time
The income gap between the top 10% and bottom 50% in Palestine has narrowed over this period. In 1980, the top 10% earned 53.50% while the bottom 50% received 11.75%. By 2024, these figures shifted to 51.51% and 10.21% respectively.
| Year | Top 1% | Top 10% | Bottom 50% | Gap (Top 10 – Bottom 50) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 20.18% | 53.50% | 11.75% | 41.75 pp |
| 1986 | 20.18% | 53.50% | 11.75% | 41.75 pp |
| 1992 | 20.18% | 53.50% | 11.75% | 41.75 pp |
| 1998 | 19.49% | 53.52% | 11.59% | 41.93 pp |
| 2004 | 20.56% | 54.52% | 11.31% | 43.21 pp |
| 2010 | 19.67% | 54.10% | 10.72% | 43.38 pp |
| 2016 | 18.29% | 51.47% | 12.33% | 39.14 pp |
| 2022 | 16.57% | 51.51% | 10.55% | 40.96 pp |
How Palestine Compares Globally
Palestine vs Middle East Average
Compared to other countries in Middle East, Palestine’s top 1% income share of 16.24% is notably lower than the regional average of 21.66%. The bottom 50% in Palestine receives 10.21% of income, compared to the Middle East average of 11.98%.
Where Palestine Ranks Among All Countries
- Top 1% income concentration: Palestine ranks 78th out of 184 countries (higher rank = more concentrated wealth at the top)
- Bottom 50% income share: Palestine ranks 152nd out of 184 countries (higher rank = larger share for the bottom half)
Countries with similar income inequality levels to Palestine include United Arab Emirates's income inequality, Bangladesh's income inequality, income distribution in Serbia.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the income share of the top 1% in Palestine?
As of 2024, the top 1% in Palestine earned 16.24% of total national income. This level of concentration is considered high by international standards.
Is income inequality increasing or decreasing in Palestine?
Income inequality in Palestine has decreased since 1980. The top 1% income share moved from 20.18% in 1980 to 16.24% in 2024.
What percentage of income goes to the bottom 50% in Palestine?
In 2024, the bottom 50% of earners in Palestine received 10.21% of total national income. This compares with the top 10% who captured 51.51%.
Last updated: April 8, 2026
Data source: World Inequality Database (WID). This dataset covers income distribution metrics for 199 countries from 1980 to 2024.