As of 2024, the top 1% in Spain earned 12.12% of total national income, while the bottom 50% received just 21.36%. Spain’s income inequality has increased since 1980, when the top 1% share was 11.36%.
Key Income Distribution Metrics for Spain in 2024
In 2024, income in Spain was distributed as follows: the wealthiest 1% of the population captured 12.12% of total national income, which is notably lower than the global average of 16.17%. Meanwhile, the bottom half of earners received 21.36% of income, notably higher than the global average of 14.97%.
| Metric | Spain | Global Average |
|---|---|---|
| Top 1% Income Share | 12.12% | 16.17% |
| Top 10% Income Share | 33.97% | 45.21% |
| Bottom 50% Income Share | 21.36% | 14.97% |
How Has Income Inequality Changed in Spain?
Top 1% Income Share Trend (1980-2024)
The share of income going to Spain’s top 1% has increased over the past 44 years. In 1980, the top 1% captured 11.36% of national income. By 2024, this figure had risen by 0.76 percentage points to 12.12%.
Top 10% vs Bottom 50% Income Gap Over Time
The income gap between the top 10% and bottom 50% in Spain has narrowed over this period. In 1980, the top 10% earned 34.93% while the bottom 50% received 20.31%. By 2024, these figures shifted to 33.97% and 21.36% respectively.
| Year | Top 1% | Top 10% | Bottom 50% | Gap (Top 10 – Bottom 50) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 11.36% | 34.93% | 20.31% | 14.62 pp |
| 1986 | 11.74% | 36.36% | 19.57% | 16.79 pp |
| 1992 | 11.26% | 35.26% | 19.64% | 15.62 pp |
| 1998 | 10.99% | 34.39% | 19.90% | 14.49 pp |
| 2004 | 10.98% | 34.03% | 20.45% | 13.58 pp |
| 2010 | 11.54% | 34.33% | 20.62% | 13.71 pp |
| 2016 | 12.70% | 35.11% | 20.23% | 14.88 pp |
| 2022 | 12.47% | 34.25% | 21.33% | 12.92 pp |
How Spain Compares Globally
Spain vs Europe Average
Compared to other countries in Europe, Spain’s top 1% income share of 12.12% is slightly higher than the regional average of 10.86%. The bottom 50% in Spain receives 21.36% of income, compared to the Europe average of 20.10%.
Where Spain Ranks Among All Countries
- Top 1% income concentration: Spain ranks 141st out of 184 countries (higher rank = more concentrated wealth at the top)
- Bottom 50% income share: Spain ranks 14th out of 184 countries (higher rank = larger share for the bottom half)
Countries with similar income inequality levels to Spain include income distribution in Mali, New Zealand, Canada's wealth gap.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the income share of the top 1% in Spain?
As of 2024, the top 1% in Spain earned 12.12% of total national income. This level of concentration is considered moderate by international standards.
Is income inequality increasing or decreasing in Spain?
Income inequality in Spain has increased since 1980. The top 1% income share moved from 11.36% in 1980 to 12.12% in 2024.
What percentage of income goes to the bottom 50% in Spain?
In 2024, the bottom 50% of earners in Spain received 21.36% of total national income. This compares with the top 10% who captured 33.97%.
Last updated: April 8, 2026
Data source: World Inequality Database (WID). This dataset covers income distribution metrics for 199 countries from 1980 to 2024.