As of 2024, the top 1% in Turkey earned 21.69% of total national income, while the bottom 50% received just 13.33%. Turkey’s income inequality has decreased since 1980, when the top 1% share was 28.31%.
Key Income Distribution Metrics for Turkey in 2024
In 2024, income in Turkey was distributed as follows: the wealthiest 1% of the population captured 21.69% of total national income, which is notably higher than the global average of 16.17%. Meanwhile, the bottom half of earners received 13.33% of income, slightly lower than the global average of 14.97%.
| Metric | Turkey | Global Average |
|---|---|---|
| Top 1% Income Share | 21.69% | 16.17% |
| Top 10% Income Share | 54.43% | 45.21% |
| Bottom 50% Income Share | 13.33% | 14.97% |
How Has Income Inequality Changed in Turkey?
Top 1% Income Share Trend (1980-2024)
The share of income going to Turkey’s top 1% has decreased over the past 44 years. In 1980, the top 1% captured 28.31% of national income. By 2024, this figure had fallen by 6.62 percentage points to 21.69%.
Top 10% vs Bottom 50% Income Gap Over Time
The income gap between the top 10% and bottom 50% in Turkey has narrowed over this period. In 1980, the top 10% earned 60.31% while the bottom 50% received 10.54%. By 2024, these figures shifted to 54.43% and 13.33% respectively.
| Year | Top 1% | Top 10% | Bottom 50% | Gap (Top 10 – Bottom 50) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 28.31% | 60.31% | 10.54% | 49.77 pp |
| 1986 | 28.31% | 60.31% | 10.54% | 49.77 pp |
| 1992 | 23.64% | 56.75% | 11.72% | 45.03 pp |
| 1998 | 22.15% | 55.58% | 12.30% | 43.28 pp |
| 2004 | 21.34% | 53.33% | 13.30% | 40.03 pp |
| 2010 | 19.64% | 51.26% | 14.65% | 36.61 pp |
| 2016 | 19.49% | 52.72% | 13.95% | 38.77 pp |
| 2022 | 22.40% | 54.54% | 13.33% | 41.21 pp |
How Turkey Compares Globally
Turkey vs Middle East Average
Compared to other countries in Middle East, Turkey’s top 1% income share of 21.69% is roughly on par with the regional average of 21.66%. The bottom 50% in Turkey receives 13.33% of income, compared to the Middle East average of 11.98%.
Where Turkey Ranks Among All Countries
- Top 1% income concentration: Turkey ranks 32nd out of 184 countries (higher rank = more concentrated wealth at the top)
- Bottom 50% income share: Turkey ranks 124th out of 184 countries (higher rank = larger share for the bottom half)
Countries with similar income inequality levels to Turkey include Namibia, South Africa's income inequality, income distribution in Uganda.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the income share of the top 1% in Turkey?
As of 2024, the top 1% in Turkey earned 21.69% of total national income. This level of concentration is considered very high by international standards.
Is income inequality increasing or decreasing in Turkey?
Income inequality in Turkey has decreased since 1980. The top 1% income share moved from 28.31% in 1980 to 21.69% in 2024.
What percentage of income goes to the bottom 50% in Turkey?
In 2024, the bottom 50% of earners in Turkey received 13.33% of total national income. This compares with the top 10% who captured 54.43%.
Last updated: April 8, 2026
Data source: World Inequality Database (WID). This dataset covers income distribution metrics for 199 countries from 1980 to 2024.