As of 2024, the top 1% in Serbia earned 16.14% of total national income, while the bottom 50% received just 17.03%. Serbia’s income inequality has increased since 1980, when the top 1% share was 9.20%.
Key Income Distribution Metrics for Serbia in 2024
In 2024, income in Serbia was distributed as follows: the wealthiest 1% of the population captured 16.14% of total national income, which is roughly on par with the global average of 16.17%. Meanwhile, the bottom half of earners received 17.03% of income, slightly higher than the global average of 14.97%.
| Metric | Serbia | Global Average |
|---|---|---|
| Top 1% Income Share | 16.14% | 16.17% |
| Top 10% Income Share | 40.27% | 45.21% |
| Bottom 50% Income Share | 17.03% | 14.97% |
How Has Income Inequality Changed in Serbia?
Top 1% Income Share Trend (1980-2024)
The share of income going to Serbia’s top 1% has increased over the past 44 years. In 1980, the top 1% captured 9.20% of national income. By 2024, this figure had risen by 6.94 percentage points to 16.14%.
Top 10% vs Bottom 50% Income Gap Over Time
The income gap between the top 10% and bottom 50% in Serbia has widened over this period. In 1980, the top 10% earned 29.78% while the bottom 50% received 21.94%. By 2024, these figures shifted to 40.27% and 17.03% respectively.
| Year | Top 1% | Top 10% | Bottom 50% | Gap (Top 10 – Bottom 50) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 9.20% | 29.78% | 21.94% | 7.84 pp |
| 1986 | 9.28% | 30.59% | 21.00% | 9.59 pp |
| 1992 | 10.20% | 31.59% | 20.72% | 10.87 pp |
| 1998 | 11.80% | 33.75% | 19.65% | 14.10 pp |
| 2004 | 14.36% | 38.00% | 16.63% | 21.37 pp |
| 2010 | 13.29% | 38.44% | 15.01% | 23.43 pp |
| 2016 | 16.10% | 41.77% | 13.19% | 28.58 pp |
| 2022 | 15.49% | 38.65% | 17.09% | 21.56 pp |
How Serbia Compares Globally
Serbia vs Europe Average
Compared to other countries in Europe, Serbia’s top 1% income share of 16.14% is notably higher than the regional average of 10.86%. The bottom 50% in Serbia receives 17.03% of income, compared to the Europe average of 20.10%.
Where Serbia Ranks Among All Countries
- Top 1% income concentration: Serbia ranks 81st out of 184 countries (higher rank = more concentrated wealth at the top)
- Bottom 50% income share: Serbia ranks 53rd out of 184 countries (higher rank = larger share for the bottom half)
Countries with similar income inequality levels to Serbia include income distribution in Bangladesh, Kiribati, Fiji.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the income share of the top 1% in Serbia?
As of 2024, the top 1% in Serbia earned 16.14% of total national income. This level of concentration is considered high by international standards.
Is income inequality increasing or decreasing in Serbia?
Income inequality in Serbia has increased since 1980. The top 1% income share moved from 9.20% in 1980 to 16.14% in 2024.
What percentage of income goes to the bottom 50% in Serbia?
In 2024, the bottom 50% of earners in Serbia received 17.03% of total national income. This compares with the top 10% who captured 40.27%.
Last updated: April 8, 2026
Data source: World Inequality Database (WID). This dataset covers income distribution metrics for 199 countries from 1980 to 2024.