As of 2024, the top 1% in Uganda earned 21.42% of total national income, while the bottom 50% received just 12.20%. Uganda’s income inequality has increased since 1980, when the top 1% share was 15.20%.
Key Income Distribution Metrics for Uganda in 2024
In 2024, income in Uganda was distributed as follows: the wealthiest 1% of the population captured 21.42% of total national income, which is notably higher than the global average of 16.17%. Meanwhile, the bottom half of earners received 12.20% of income, slightly lower than the global average of 14.97%.
| Metric | Uganda | Global Average |
|---|---|---|
| Top 1% Income Share | 21.42% | 16.17% |
| Top 10% Income Share | 53.05% | 45.21% |
| Bottom 50% Income Share | 12.20% | 14.97% |
How Has Income Inequality Changed in Uganda?
Top 1% Income Share Trend (1980-2024)
The share of income going to Uganda’s top 1% has increased over the past 44 years. In 1980, the top 1% captured 15.20% of national income. By 2024, this figure had risen by 6.22 percentage points to 21.42%.
Top 10% vs Bottom 50% Income Gap Over Time
The income gap between the top 10% and bottom 50% in Uganda has widened over this period. In 1980, the top 10% earned 50.75% while the bottom 50% received 11.66%. By 2024, these figures shifted to 53.05% and 12.20% respectively.
| Year | Top 1% | Top 10% | Bottom 50% | Gap (Top 10 – Bottom 50) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 15.20% | 50.75% | 11.66% | 39.09 pp |
| 1986 | 15.20% | 50.75% | 11.66% | 39.09 pp |
| 1992 | 20.13% | 52.05% | 12.77% | 39.28 pp |
| 1998 | 18.03% | 51.77% | 12.68% | 39.09 pp |
| 2004 | 19.56% | 53.83% | 11.82% | 42.01 pp |
| 2010 | 17.51% | 53.32% | 12.17% | 41.15 pp |
| 2016 | 17.04% | 52.07% | 12.13% | 39.94 pp |
| 2022 | 21.42% | 53.05% | 12.20% | 40.85 pp |
How Uganda Compares Globally
Uganda vs Africa Average
Compared to other countries in Africa, Uganda’s top 1% income share of 21.42% is notably higher than the regional average of 15.62%. The bottom 50% in Uganda receives 12.20% of income, compared to the Africa average of 13.46%.
Where Uganda Ranks Among All Countries
- Top 1% income concentration: Uganda ranks 34th out of 184 countries (higher rank = more concentrated wealth at the top)
- Bottom 50% income share: Uganda ranks 138th out of 184 countries (higher rank = larger share for the bottom half)
Countries with similar income inequality levels to Uganda include Uruguay's income inequality, income distribution in Namibia, income distribution in Barbados.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the income share of the top 1% in Uganda?
As of 2024, the top 1% in Uganda earned 21.42% of total national income. This level of concentration is considered very high by international standards.
Is income inequality increasing or decreasing in Uganda?
Income inequality in Uganda has increased since 1980. The top 1% income share moved from 15.20% in 1980 to 21.42% in 2024.
What percentage of income goes to the bottom 50% in Uganda?
In 2024, the bottom 50% of earners in Uganda received 12.20% of total national income. This compares with the top 10% who captured 53.05%.
Last updated: April 8, 2026
Data source: World Inequality Database (WID). This dataset covers income distribution metrics for 199 countries from 1980 to 2024.