China Income Share Top 10%
Income share held by highest 10% SI.DST.10TH.10
China's income share top 10% was 27.33% in 2025, ranked 34th globally. This represents a 3.8% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1981–2025.
Overview
China's income share top 10% stood at 27.33% in 2025, a decline of +1.07pp from 2022. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 27.33% by 2025. China ranked 34th globally.
China’s share of total national income captured by the top 10 percent of earners rose from 21.70 % in 1981 to 27.33 % in 2025, placing it 34th globally. The indicator peaked at 32.60 % in 2010, a level that reflected the rapid expansion of high‑value sectors and widening wage differentials during the post‑reform boom, before retreating to a trough of 21.30 % in 1984, when the economy was still largely agrarian. Over the 24‑year coverage period, the upward trajectory has been steady, mirroring trends in peer economies such as Nepal (27.39 %) and Iran (27.22 %). The modest decline from the 2010 apex suggests that redistributive policies and the growth of the services sector have partially mitigated extreme concentration, yet the recent rise to 27.33 % indicates persistent inequality. Continued reforms targeting tax progressivity and social security coverage could blunt future increases in the top‑10 percent share.
Data & projection
| Year | Income Share Top 10% | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025* trend | 27.33% | - | - |
| 2025 | 27.33% | −1.07pp | #34 |
| 2022 | 28.40% | +0.20pp | #44 |
| 2021 | 28.20% | −1.20pp | #49 |
| 2020 | 29.40% | −0.10pp | #51 |
| 2019 | 29.50% | +0.10pp | #57 |
| 2018 | 29.40% | −0.50pp | #61 |
| 2017 | 29.90% | +0.60pp | #57 |
| 2016 | 29.30% | −0.10pp | #57 |
| 2015 | 29.40% | −0.30pp | #57 |
| 2014 | 29.70% | −0.60pp | #61 |
| 2013 | 30.30% | −1.20pp | #54 |
| 2012 | 31.50% | −0.30pp | #66 |
| 2011 | 31.80% | −0.80pp | #64 |
| 2010 | 32.60% | +0.60pp | #67 |
| 2008 | 32.00% | +1.10pp | #55 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
China matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2013. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw income share top 10% improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
China's income share top 10% was 27.33% in 2025. Ranked 34th globally. This represents a 3.8% decrease from the previous year.
China's income share top 10% peaked at 32.60% in 2010.
The lowest income share top 10% in China was 21.30% in 1984.
China ranks 34th globally in income share top 10% as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SI.DST.10TH.10. Data sourced from World Bank.
China's income share top 10% is projected to reach 27.33% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The income share top 10% of China in 2025 was 27.33%. This ranks 34th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_china_income-top-10,
title = {China Income Share Top 10%},
url = {https://historysaid.com/china/income-top-10/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}