Jamaica Income Share Top 10%
Income share held by highest 10% SI.DST.10TH.10
Jamaica's income share top 10% was 29.60% in 2021, ranked 55th globally. This represents a 8.0% increase from 2020. Data from World Bank, covering 1988–2021.
Overview
Jamaica's income share top 10% stood at 29.60% in 2021, a rise of +2.20pp from 2018. Jamaica ranked 55th globally.
Jamaica’s share of national income captured by the top 10 percent of earners stood at 29.60 percent in 2021, placing the country 55th in the world. This figure represents a modest decline from the all‑time peak of 38.00 percent recorded in 2002 and a slight rise from the trough of 27.40 percent reached in 2018, indicating a gradual re‑concentration of earnings after a period of relative compression. Over the nine‑year observation window, the top‑decile share has moved within a narrow band, mirroring the pattern observed in peers such as Madagascar, which posted an identical 29.60 percent in the same year, and Lithuania at 29.10 percent. The post‑peak descent suggests that fiscal reforms and social programmes introduced in the late 2010s may have tempered inequality, yet the recent uptick hints at renewed pressures from inflation and limited wage growth. Continued policy focus on progressive taxation and inclusive labor market interventions will be crucial to sustaining a downward trajectory in income concentration.
Data & projection
| Year | Income Share Top 10% | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 29.60% | +2.20pp | #55 |
| 2018 | 27.40% | −8.30pp | #51 |
| 2004 | 35.70% | −2.30pp | #61 |
| 2002 | 38.00% | +3.00pp | #53 |
| 1999 | 35.00% | +2.30pp | #30 |
| 1996 | 32.70% | +5.30pp | #25 |
| 1993 | 27.40% | −4.60pp | #19 |
| 1990 | 32.00% | −1.70pp | #17 |
| 1988 | 33.70% | – | #13 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Jamaica matched the Fiscal Dominance Trap pattern in 2022. Historically, 72% of countries showing this pattern (278 out of 386) saw income share top 10% improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Jamaica's income share top 10% was 29.60% in 2021. Ranked 55th globally. This represents a 8.0% increase from the previous year.
Jamaica's income share top 10% peaked at 38.00% in 2002.
The lowest income share top 10% in Jamaica was 27.40% in 1993.
Jamaica ranks 55th globally in income share top 10% as of 2021.
The World Bank indicator code is SI.DST.10TH.10. Data sourced from World Bank.
The income share top 10% of Jamaica in 2021 was 29.60%. This ranks 55th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_jamaica_income-top-10,
title = {Jamaica Income Share Top 10%},
url = {https://historysaid.com/jamaica/income-top-10/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}