Countries by Income Gap (Rich vs Poor)

What Income Gap (Top 20% vs Bottom 20%) Measures

Income Gap (Top 20% vs Bottom 20%) is a comparative indicator tracked across countries by the OECD. It provides a quantitative basis for cross-national comparison, enabling researchers and policymakers to benchmark national performance on this dimension against global peers.

Why This Ranking Matters

Examining Income Gap (Top 20% vs Bottom 20%) across all countries reveals patterns that might not be obvious at the national level. Regional clusters, outlier nations, and historical trajectories all become clearer when the full global picture is assembled in a single ranking.

Global Range

Values range from 3.46 (Slovakia) to 12.267 (Costa Rica) — a 4-fold difference across 37 countries.

Regional Patterns

European countries dominate this ranking, holding 10 of the top 20 positions. This strong regional concentration suggests shared economic, geographic, or policy factors that drive higher values across the continent.

Values are broadly distributed across countries, with the middle 50% ranging from 4.15 to 6.23. The overall spread from 3.46 to 12.267 reflects significant global variation.

Notable Outliers

Costa Rica holds a significant lead over Chile, with a 21% gap between first and second place. While several countries cluster near the top, the leader's margin is notable. The bottom five countries are all from Europe, pointing to regional challenges that affect income gap (top 20% vs bottom 20%) across the continent.

Continental Leaders

North America

Costa Rica

12.267

South America

Chile

10.123

Europe

Turkey

8.05

Asia

Japan

6.35

Oceania

Australia

5.56