Australia Income Share Bottom 10%
Income share held by lowest 10% SI.DST.FRST.10
Australia's income share bottom 10% was 2.70% in 2020, ranked 38th globally. This represents a 3.6% decrease from 2019. Data from World Bank, covering 1981–2020.
Overview
Australia's income share bottom 10% stood at 2.70% in 2020, a decline of +0.10pp from 2018. Australia ranked 38th globally.
Australia’s income share held by the bottom 10% was recorded at 2.70% in 2020, matching the all-time trough observed in the same year and ranking 38th globally. This marks a decline from both the earliest recorded value of 2.90% in 1981 and the all-time peak of 3.10% in 2004, indicating a long-term narrowing in the share of national income accruing to the lowest earners. Over the 13 years of available data, the trend has generally moved downward, with the 2020 figure aligning with peer countries such as Georgia and Lithuania, both also at 2.70%. The stagnation and slight erosion of income share at the lower end of the distribution contrast with broader economic growth over the same period, suggesting that structural factors such as labor market dynamics, tax and transfer policies, and wage inequality may be limiting income gains for the most disadvantaged. Without targeted policy interventions aimed at boosting wages, enhancing social transfers, or improving access to education and employment, the trajectory is likely to remain flat or continue declining.
Data & projection
| Year | Income Share Bottom 10% | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 2.70% | −0.10pp | #38 |
| 2018 | 2.80% | −0.10pp | #47 |
| 2016 | 2.90% | +0.00pp | #34 |
| 2014 | 2.90% | +0.10pp | #37 |
| 2010 | 2.80% | +0.00pp | #40 |
| 2008 | 2.80% | −0.30pp | #35 |
| 2004 | 3.10% | +0.30pp | #31 |
| 2003 | 2.80% | +0.00pp | #33 |
| 2001 | 2.80% | −0.10pp | #18 |
| 1995 | 2.90% | +0.20pp | #19 |
| 1989 | 2.70% | +0.00pp | #9 |
| 1985 | 2.70% | −0.20pp | #9 |
| 1981 | 2.90% | – | #5 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Australia matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2021. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw income share bottom 10% improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Australia's income share bottom 10% was 2.70% in 2020. Ranked 38th globally. This represents a 3.6% decrease from the previous year.
Australia's income share bottom 10% peaked at 3.10% in 2004.
The lowest income share bottom 10% in Australia was 2.70% in 1985.
Australia ranks 38th globally in income share bottom 10% as of 2020.
The World Bank indicator code is SI.DST.FRST.10. Data sourced from World Bank.
The income share bottom 10% of Australia in 2020 was 2.70%. This ranks 38th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_australia_income-bottom-10,
title = {Australia Income Share Bottom 10%},
url = {https://historysaid.com/australia/income-bottom-10/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}