As of 2024, the top 1% in Switzerland earned 10.33% of total national income, while the bottom 50% received just 23.04%. Switzerland’s income inequality has remained relatively stable since 1980, when the top 1% share was 10.07%.
Key Income Distribution Metrics for Switzerland in 2024
In 2024, income in Switzerland was distributed as follows: the wealthiest 1% of the population captured 10.33% of total national income, which is notably lower than the global average of 16.17%. Meanwhile, the bottom half of earners received 23.04% of income, significantly higher than the global average of 14.97%.
| Metric | Switzerland | Global Average |
|---|---|---|
| Top 1% Income Share | 10.33% | 16.17% |
| Top 10% Income Share | 31.46% | 45.21% |
| Bottom 50% Income Share | 23.04% | 14.97% |
How Has Income Inequality Changed in Switzerland?
Top 1% Income Share Trend (1980-2024)
The share of income going to Switzerland’s top 1% has remained relatively stable over the past 44 years. In 1980, the top 1% captured 10.07% of national income. By 2024, this figure had risen by 0.26 percentage points to 10.33%.
Top 10% vs Bottom 50% Income Gap Over Time
The income gap between the top 10% and bottom 50% in Switzerland has widened over this period. In 1980, the top 10% earned 30.50% while the bottom 50% received 23.73%. By 2024, these figures shifted to 31.46% and 23.04% respectively.
| Year | Top 1% | Top 10% | Bottom 50% | Gap (Top 10 – Bottom 50) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 10.07% | 30.50% | 23.73% | 6.77 pp |
| 1986 | 10.70% | 31.23% | 23.44% | 7.79 pp |
| 1992 | 9.91% | 29.94% | 23.86% | 6.08 pp |
| 1998 | 11.68% | 32.42% | 23.00% | 9.42 pp |
| 2004 | 11.94% | 33.03% | 22.41% | 10.62 pp |
| 2010 | 12.33% | 33.90% | 22.00% | 11.90 pp |
| 2016 | 11.39% | 32.55% | 22.35% | 10.20 pp |
| 2022 | 10.58% | 32.01% | 22.80% | 9.21 pp |
How Switzerland Compares Globally
Switzerland vs Europe Average
Compared to other countries in Europe, Switzerland’s top 1% income share of 10.33% is roughly on par with the regional average of 10.86%. The bottom 50% in Switzerland receives 23.04% of income, compared to the Europe average of 20.10%.
Where Switzerland Ranks Among All Countries
- Top 1% income concentration: Switzerland ranks 159th out of 184 countries (higher rank = more concentrated wealth at the top)
- Bottom 50% income share: Switzerland ranks 6th out of 184 countries (higher rank = larger share for the bottom half)
Countries with similar income inequality levels to Switzerland include income distribution in Portugal, Luxembourg's income inequality, income distribution in Ethiopia.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the income share of the top 1% in Switzerland?
As of 2024, the top 1% in Switzerland earned 10.33% of total national income. This level of concentration is considered moderate by international standards.
Is income inequality increasing or decreasing in Switzerland?
Income inequality in Switzerland has remained relatively stable since 1980. The top 1% income share moved from 10.07% in 1980 to 10.33% in 2024.
What percentage of income goes to the bottom 50% in Switzerland?
In 2024, the bottom 50% of earners in Switzerland received 23.04% of total national income. This compares with the top 10% who captured 31.46%.
Last updated: April 8, 2026
Data source: World Inequality Database (WID). This dataset covers income distribution metrics for 199 countries from 1980 to 2024.