As of 2024, the top 1% in Somalia earned 15.52% of total national income, while the bottom 50% received just 14.05%. Somalia’s income inequality has decreased since 1980, when the top 1% share was 24.64%.
Key Income Distribution Metrics for Somalia in 2024
In 2024, income in Somalia was distributed as follows: the wealthiest 1% of the population captured 15.52% of total national income, which is roughly on par with the global average of 16.17%. Meanwhile, the bottom half of earners received 14.05% of income, slightly lower than the global average of 14.97%.
| Metric | Somalia | Global Average |
|---|---|---|
| Top 1% Income Share | 15.52% | 16.17% |
| Top 10% Income Share | 48.24% | 45.21% |
| Bottom 50% Income Share | 14.05% | 14.97% |
How Has Income Inequality Changed in Somalia?
Top 1% Income Share Trend (1980-2024)
The share of income going to Somalia’s top 1% has decreased over the past 44 years. In 1980, the top 1% captured 24.64% of national income. By 2024, this figure had fallen by 9.12 percentage points to 15.52%.
Top 10% vs Bottom 50% Income Gap Over Time
The income gap between the top 10% and bottom 50% in Somalia has narrowed over this period. In 1980, the top 10% earned 56.48% while the bottom 50% received 10.93%. By 2024, these figures shifted to 48.24% and 14.05% respectively.
| Year | Top 1% | Top 10% | Bottom 50% | Gap (Top 10 – Bottom 50) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 24.64% | 56.48% | 10.93% | 45.55 pp |
| 1986 | 25.05% | 56.65% | 10.92% | 45.73 pp |
| 1992 | 25.97% | 56.94% | 11.06% | 45.88 pp |
| 1998 | 19.45% | 51.40% | 13.08% | 38.32 pp |
| 2004 | 18.07% | 50.24% | 13.53% | 36.71 pp |
| 2010 | 17.70% | 50.58% | 13.33% | 37.25 pp |
| 2016 | 17.22% | 50.28% | 13.26% | 37.02 pp |
| 2022 | 15.53% | 48.25% | 14.04% | 34.21 pp |
How Somalia Compares Globally
Somalia vs Africa Average
Compared to other countries in Africa, Somalia’s top 1% income share of 15.52% is roughly on par with the regional average of 15.62%. The bottom 50% in Somalia receives 14.05% of income, compared to the Africa average of 13.46%.
Where Somalia Ranks Among All Countries
- Top 1% income concentration: Somalia ranks 99th out of 184 countries (higher rank = more concentrated wealth at the top)
- Bottom 50% income share: Somalia ranks 115th out of 184 countries (higher rank = larger share for the bottom half)
Countries with similar income inequality levels to Somalia include income distribution in South Sudan, Central African Republic, Sudan.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the income share of the top 1% in Somalia?
As of 2024, the top 1% in Somalia earned 15.52% of total national income. This level of concentration is considered high by international standards.
Is income inequality increasing or decreasing in Somalia?
Income inequality in Somalia has decreased since 1980. The top 1% income share moved from 24.64% in 1980 to 15.52% in 2024.
What percentage of income goes to the bottom 50% in Somalia?
In 2024, the bottom 50% of earners in Somalia received 14.05% of total national income. This compares with the top 10% who captured 48.24%.
Last updated: April 8, 2026
Data source: World Inequality Database (WID). This dataset covers income distribution metrics for 199 countries from 1980 to 2024.