5 Countries with the Highest Income Inequality in the World

In this piece, we will take a look at the 5 countries with the highest income inequality in the world. For more countries, head on over to 25 countries with the highest income inequality in the world.

5. Zambia

Total income attributable to the top 1%: 23.2%

Wage income is the biggest contributor to income inequality in Zambia while non-agricultural self-employment is another important factor. While the poorest households have seen a rise in their income over the last 3 decades, the gap between the middle households and rich households has increased further.

4. Mozambique

Total income attributable to the top 1%: 31.1%

Mozambique may be even further higher in the list of countries with the highest income inequality in the world, if the divide between the rich and the poor continues to grow at this pace.

3. Central African Republic

Total income attributable to the top 1%: 31.0%

The country with the highest income inequality in Africa, Central African Republic also ranks among the poorest countries in the world.

2. Mexico

Total income attributable to the top 1%: 26.8%

In Mexico, a few ultra-rich individuals and families own the vast majority of wealth, with the country scoring poorly in all of our metrics. The difference in wealth and income opportunities arises from a multitude of factors including race, gender, class and geography. While social policies have been implemented to improve this situation, there has been little improvement.

1. Peru

Total income attributable to the top 1%: 22.9%

Topping the list of the 25 countries with the highest income inequality in the world is Peru, where the bottom 50% of the population only gets to share less than 6% of the total income. Peru was among the countries worst hit by the Covid-19 pandemic and the current situation shows that the nation will have to work hard to improve wealth gaps.

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