As of 2024, the top 1% in Peru earned 27.61% of total national income, while the bottom 50% received just 9.54%. Peru’s income inequality has increased since 1980, when the top 1% share was 25.18%.
Key Income Distribution Metrics for Peru in 2024
In 2024, income in Peru was distributed as follows: the wealthiest 1% of the population captured 27.61% of total national income, which is significantly higher than the global average of 16.17%. Meanwhile, the bottom half of earners received 9.54% of income, notably lower than the global average of 14.97%.
| Metric | Peru | Global Average |
|---|---|---|
| Top 1% Income Share | 27.61% | 16.17% |
| Top 10% Income Share | 58.10% | 45.21% |
| Bottom 50% Income Share | 9.54% | 14.97% |
| Gini Index | 40.13 | 40.77 |
How Has Income Inequality Changed in Peru?
Top 1% Income Share Trend (1980-2024)
The share of income going to Peru’s top 1% has increased over the past 44 years. In 1980, the top 1% captured 25.18% of national income. By 2024, this figure had risen by 2.43 percentage points to 27.61%.
Top 10% vs Bottom 50% Income Gap Over Time
The income gap between the top 10% and bottom 50% in Peru has widened over this period. In 1980, the top 10% earned 55.70% while the bottom 50% received 8.47%. By 2024, these figures shifted to 58.10% and 9.54% respectively.
| Year | Top 1% | Top 10% | Bottom 50% | Gap (Top 10 – Bottom 50) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 25.18% | 55.70% | 8.47% | 47.23 pp |
| 1986 | 25.18% | 55.70% | 8.47% | 47.23 pp |
| 1992 | 25.18% | 55.70% | 8.47% | 47.23 pp |
| 1998 | 25.18% | 55.70% | 8.47% | 47.23 pp |
| 2004 | 34.11% | 60.65% | 7.57% | 53.08 pp |
| 2010 | 28.81% | 56.70% | 9.62% | 47.08 pp |
| 2016 | 27.81% | 56.11% | 9.91% | 46.20 pp |
| 2022 | 35.81% | 59.18% | 9.28% | 49.90 pp |
How Peru Compares Globally
Peru vs South America Average
Compared to other countries in South America, Peru’s top 1% income share of 27.61% is notably higher than the regional average of 22.53%. The bottom 50% in Peru receives 9.54% of income, compared to the South America average of 10.17%.
Where Peru Ranks Among All Countries
- Top 1% income concentration: Peru ranks 2nd out of 184 countries (higher rank = more concentrated wealth at the top)
- Bottom 50% income share: Peru ranks 170th out of 184 countries (higher rank = larger share for the bottom half)
Countries with similar income inequality levels to Peru include Chile's income inequality, Brazil's income inequality, income distribution in Angola.
Additional Economic Indicators for Peru
Poverty Rate
The poverty rate in Peru was recorded at 5.14% in 2024.
Gini Index
Peru’s Gini index of 40.13 indicates high inequality. The Gini index ranges from 0 (perfect equality) to 100 (maximum inequality).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the income share of the top 1% in Peru?
As of 2024, the top 1% in Peru earned 27.61% of total national income. This level of concentration is considered very high by international standards.
Is income inequality increasing or decreasing in Peru?
Income inequality in Peru has increased since 1980. The top 1% income share moved from 25.18% in 1980 to 27.61% in 2024.
What percentage of income goes to the bottom 50% in Peru?
In 2024, the bottom 50% of earners in Peru received 9.54% of total national income. This compares with the top 10% who captured 58.10%.
What is the Gini coefficient of Peru?
Peru's Gini index was 40.13 as of 2024. A Gini of 0 represents perfect equality, while 100 represents maximum inequality.
What is the poverty rate in Peru?
The poverty rate in Peru was 5.14% as of 2024.
Last updated: April 8, 2026
Data source: World Inequality Database (WID). This dataset covers income distribution metrics for 199 countries from 1980 to 2024.