As of 2024, the top 1% in Senegal earned 13.07% of total national income, while the bottom 50% received just 15.01%. Senegal’s income inequality has decreased since 1980, when the top 1% share was 25.23%.
Key Income Distribution Metrics for Senegal in 2024
In 2024, income in Senegal was distributed as follows: the wealthiest 1% of the population captured 13.07% of total national income, which is slightly lower than the global average of 16.17%. Meanwhile, the bottom half of earners received 15.01% of income, roughly on par with the global average of 14.97%.
| Metric | Senegal | Global Average |
|---|---|---|
| Top 1% Income Share | 13.07% | 16.17% |
| Top 10% Income Share | 45.72% | 45.21% |
| Bottom 50% Income Share | 15.01% | 14.97% |
How Has Income Inequality Changed in Senegal?
Top 1% Income Share Trend (1980-2024)
The share of income going to Senegal’s top 1% has decreased over the past 44 years. In 1980, the top 1% captured 25.23% of national income. By 2024, this figure had fallen by 12.16 percentage points to 13.07%.
Top 10% vs Bottom 50% Income Gap Over Time
The income gap between the top 10% and bottom 50% in Senegal has narrowed over this period. In 1980, the top 10% earned 60.87% while the bottom 50% received 8.04%. By 2024, these figures shifted to 45.72% and 15.01% respectively.
| Year | Top 1% | Top 10% | Bottom 50% | Gap (Top 10 – Bottom 50) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 25.23% | 60.87% | 8.04% | 52.83 pp |
| 1986 | 25.23% | 60.87% | 8.04% | 52.83 pp |
| 1992 | 22.45% | 57.06% | 9.85% | 47.21 pp |
| 1998 | 18.13% | 50.78% | 13.00% | 37.78 pp |
| 2004 | 14.90% | 48.03% | 13.47% | 34.56 pp |
| 2010 | 13.24% | 47.55% | 13.44% | 34.11 pp |
| 2016 | 14.54% | 48.07% | 13.73% | 34.34 pp |
| 2022 | 13.07% | 45.72% | 15.01% | 30.71 pp |
How Senegal Compares Globally
Senegal vs Africa Average
Compared to other countries in Africa, Senegal’s top 1% income share of 13.07% is slightly lower than the regional average of 15.62%. The bottom 50% in Senegal receives 15.01% of income, compared to the Africa average of 13.46%.
Where Senegal Ranks Among All Countries
- Top 1% income concentration: Senegal ranks 130th out of 184 countries (higher rank = more concentrated wealth at the top)
- Bottom 50% income share: Senegal ranks 90th out of 184 countries (higher rank = larger share for the bottom half)
Countries with similar income inequality levels to Senegal include Maldives, United Kingdom's wealth gap, income distribution in Malaysia.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the income share of the top 1% in Senegal?
As of 2024, the top 1% in Senegal earned 13.07% of total national income. This level of concentration is considered moderate by international standards.
Is income inequality increasing or decreasing in Senegal?
Income inequality in Senegal has decreased since 1980. The top 1% income share moved from 25.23% in 1980 to 13.07% in 2024.
What percentage of income goes to the bottom 50% in Senegal?
In 2024, the bottom 50% of earners in Senegal received 15.01% of total national income. This compares with the top 10% who captured 45.72%.
Last updated: April 8, 2026
Data source: World Inequality Database (WID). This dataset covers income distribution metrics for 199 countries from 1980 to 2024.