As of 2024, the top 1% in Papua New Guinea earned 16.37% of total national income, while the bottom 50% received just 12.91%. Papua New Guinea’s income inequality has decreased since 1980, when the top 1% share was 18.06%.
Key Income Distribution Metrics for Papua New Guinea in 2024
In 2024, income in Papua New Guinea was distributed as follows: the wealthiest 1% of the population captured 16.37% of total national income, which is roughly on par with the global average of 16.17%. Meanwhile, the bottom half of earners received 12.91% of income, slightly lower than the global average of 14.97%.
| Metric | Papua New Guinea | Global Average |
|---|---|---|
| Top 1% Income Share | 16.37% | 16.17% |
| Top 10% Income Share | 46.28% | 45.21% |
| Bottom 50% Income Share | 12.91% | 14.97% |
How Has Income Inequality Changed in Papua New Guinea?
Top 1% Income Share Trend (1980-2024)
The share of income going to Papua New Guinea’s top 1% has decreased over the past 44 years. In 1980, the top 1% captured 18.06% of national income. By 2024, this figure had fallen by 1.69 percentage points to 16.37%.
Top 10% vs Bottom 50% Income Gap Over Time
The income gap between the top 10% and bottom 50% in Papua New Guinea has narrowed over this period. In 1980, the top 10% earned 50.25% while the bottom 50% received 10.91%. By 2024, these figures shifted to 46.28% and 12.91% respectively.
| Year | Top 1% | Top 10% | Bottom 50% | Gap (Top 10 – Bottom 50) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 18.06% | 50.25% | 10.91% | 39.34 pp |
| 1986 | 18.06% | 50.25% | 10.91% | 39.34 pp |
| 1992 | 18.06% | 50.25% | 10.91% | 39.34 pp |
| 1998 | 17.73% | 49.67% | 11.24% | 38.43 pp |
| 2004 | 17.05% | 47.96% | 12.08% | 35.88 pp |
| 2010 | 16.38% | 46.29% | 12.90% | 33.39 pp |
| 2016 | 16.36% | 46.27% | 12.92% | 33.35 pp |
| 2022 | 16.37% | 46.28% | 12.91% | 33.37 pp |
How Papua New Guinea Compares Globally
Papua New Guinea vs Oceania Average
Compared to other countries in Oceania, Papua New Guinea’s top 1% income share of 16.37% is slightly higher than the regional average of 15.41%. The bottom 50% in Papua New Guinea receives 12.91% of income, compared to the Oceania average of 16.05%.
Where Papua New Guinea Ranks Among All Countries
- Top 1% income concentration: Papua New Guinea ranks 77th out of 184 countries (higher rank = more concentrated wealth at the top)
- Bottom 50% income share: Papua New Guinea ranks 130th out of 184 countries (higher rank = larger share for the bottom half)
Countries with similar income inequality levels to Papua New Guinea include Palestine, income distribution in United Arab Emirates, Iran's wealth gap.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the income share of the top 1% in Papua New Guinea?
As of 2024, the top 1% in Papua New Guinea earned 16.37% of total national income. This level of concentration is considered high by international standards.
Is income inequality increasing or decreasing in Papua New Guinea?
Income inequality in Papua New Guinea has decreased since 1980. The top 1% income share moved from 18.06% in 1980 to 16.37% in 2024.
What percentage of income goes to the bottom 50% in Papua New Guinea?
In 2024, the bottom 50% of earners in Papua New Guinea received 12.91% of total national income. This compares with the top 10% who captured 46.28%.
Last updated: April 8, 2026
Data source: World Inequality Database (WID). This dataset covers income distribution metrics for 199 countries from 1980 to 2024.