As of 2024, the top 1% in Portugal earned 10.37% of total national income, while the bottom 50% received just 20.40%. Portugal’s income inequality has increased since 1980, when the top 1% share was 6.89%.
Key Income Distribution Metrics for Portugal in 2024
In 2024, income in Portugal was distributed as follows: the wealthiest 1% of the population captured 10.37% of total national income, which is notably lower than the global average of 16.17%. Meanwhile, the bottom half of earners received 20.40% of income, notably higher than the global average of 14.97%.
| Metric | Portugal | Global Average |
|---|---|---|
| Top 1% Income Share | 10.37% | 16.17% |
| Top 10% Income Share | 35.45% | 45.21% |
| Bottom 50% Income Share | 20.40% | 14.97% |
How Has Income Inequality Changed in Portugal?
Top 1% Income Share Trend (1980-2024)
The share of income going to Portugal’s top 1% has increased over the past 44 years. In 1980, the top 1% captured 6.89% of national income. By 2024, this figure had risen by 3.48 percentage points to 10.37%.
Top 10% vs Bottom 50% Income Gap Over Time
The income gap between the top 10% and bottom 50% in Portugal has widened over this period. In 1980, the top 10% earned 28.26% while the bottom 50% received 22.54%. By 2024, these figures shifted to 35.45% and 20.40% respectively.
| Year | Top 1% | Top 10% | Bottom 50% | Gap (Top 10 – Bottom 50) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 6.89% | 28.26% | 22.54% | 5.72 pp |
| 1986 | 8.07% | 32.49% | 20.72% | 11.77 pp |
| 1992 | 9.20% | 34.77% | 19.79% | 14.98 pp |
| 1998 | 10.28% | 36.88% | 18.75% | 18.13 pp |
| 2004 | 10.85% | 39.37% | 17.28% | 22.09 pp |
| 2010 | 10.04% | 37.94% | 18.64% | 19.30 pp |
| 2016 | 10.93% | 37.30% | 18.78% | 18.52 pp |
| 2022 | 10.37% | 35.44% | 20.40% | 15.04 pp |
How Portugal Compares Globally
Portugal vs Europe Average
Compared to other countries in Europe, Portugal’s top 1% income share of 10.37% is roughly on par with the regional average of 10.86%. The bottom 50% in Portugal receives 20.40% of income, compared to the Europe average of 20.10%.
Where Portugal Ranks Among All Countries
- Top 1% income concentration: Portugal ranks 158th out of 184 countries (higher rank = more concentrated wealth at the top)
- Bottom 50% income share: Portugal ranks 22nd out of 184 countries (higher rank = larger share for the bottom half)
Countries with similar income inequality levels to Portugal include Switzerland's wealth gap, income distribution in Ethiopia, Eritrea.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the income share of the top 1% in Portugal?
As of 2024, the top 1% in Portugal earned 10.37% of total national income. This level of concentration is considered moderate by international standards.
Is income inequality increasing or decreasing in Portugal?
Income inequality in Portugal has increased since 1980. The top 1% income share moved from 6.89% in 1980 to 10.37% in 2024.
What percentage of income goes to the bottom 50% in Portugal?
In 2024, the bottom 50% of earners in Portugal received 20.40% of total national income. This compares with the top 10% who captured 35.45%.
Last updated: April 8, 2026
Data source: World Inequality Database (WID). This dataset covers income distribution metrics for 199 countries from 1980 to 2024.