As of 2024, the top 1% in Zambia earned 18.04% of total national income, while the bottom 50% received just 8.81%. Zambia’s income inequality has remained relatively stable since 1980, when the top 1% share was 18.86%.
Key Income Distribution Metrics for Zambia in 2024
In 2024, income in Zambia was distributed as follows: the wealthiest 1% of the population captured 18.04% of total national income, which is slightly higher than the global average of 16.17%. Meanwhile, the bottom half of earners received 8.81% of income, notably lower than the global average of 14.97%.
| Metric | Zambia | Global Average |
|---|---|---|
| Top 1% Income Share | 18.04% | 16.17% |
| Top 10% Income Share | 56.23% | 45.21% |
| Bottom 50% Income Share | 8.81% | 14.97% |
How Has Income Inequality Changed in Zambia?
Top 1% Income Share Trend (1980-2024)
The share of income going to Zambia’s top 1% has remained relatively stable over the past 44 years. In 1980, the top 1% captured 18.86% of national income. By 2024, this figure had fallen by 0.82 percentage points to 18.04%.
Top 10% vs Bottom 50% Income Gap Over Time
The income gap between the top 10% and bottom 50% in Zambia has narrowed over this period. In 1980, the top 10% earned 58.81% while the bottom 50% received 5.56%. By 2024, these figures shifted to 56.23% and 8.81% respectively.
| Year | Top 1% | Top 10% | Bottom 50% | Gap (Top 10 – Bottom 50) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 18.86% | 58.81% | 5.56% | 53.25 pp |
| 1986 | 18.86% | 58.81% | 5.56% | 53.25 pp |
| 1992 | 17.79% | 57.41% | 7.07% | 50.34 pp |
| 1998 | 20.14% | 56.00% | 9.77% | 46.23 pp |
| 2004 | 23.11% | 60.47% | 7.92% | 52.55 pp |
| 2010 | 18.96% | 58.53% | 8.77% | 49.76 pp |
| 2016 | 21.64% | 60.17% | 7.58% | 52.59 pp |
| 2022 | 18.04% | 56.23% | 8.81% | 47.42 pp |
How Zambia Compares Globally
Zambia vs Africa Average
Compared to other countries in Africa, Zambia’s top 1% income share of 18.04% is slightly higher than the regional average of 15.62%. The bottom 50% in Zambia receives 8.81% of income, compared to the Africa average of 13.46%.
Where Zambia Ranks Among All Countries
- Top 1% income concentration: Zambia ranks 61st out of 184 countries (higher rank = more concentrated wealth at the top)
- Bottom 50% income share: Zambia ranks 177th out of 184 countries (higher rank = larger share for the bottom half)
Countries with similar income inequality levels to Zambia include income distribution in Kyrgyzstan, Argentina's wealth gap, income distribution in Cambodia.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the income share of the top 1% in Zambia?
As of 2024, the top 1% in Zambia earned 18.04% of total national income. This level of concentration is considered high by international standards.
Is income inequality increasing or decreasing in Zambia?
Income inequality in Zambia has remained relatively stable since 1980. The top 1% income share moved from 18.86% in 1980 to 18.04% in 2024.
What percentage of income goes to the bottom 50% in Zambia?
In 2024, the bottom 50% of earners in Zambia received 8.81% of total national income. This compares with the top 10% who captured 56.23%.
Last updated: April 8, 2026
Data source: World Inequality Database (WID). This dataset covers income distribution metrics for 199 countries from 1980 to 2024.