Lao PDR Income Share Top 10%
Income share held by highest 10% SI.DST.10TH.10
Lao PDR's income share top 10% was 31.20% in 2018, ranked 74th globally. This represents a 7.6% increase from 2017. Data from World Bank, covering 1992–2018.
Overview
Lao PDR's income share top 10% stood at 31.20% in 2018, a rise of +2.20pp from 2012. Lao PDR ranked 74th globally.
The share of national income captured by the top 10 percent of earners in Lao PDR rose from 28.00 % in 1992 to a peak of 31.20 % in 2018, the highest level recorded in the series and the figure reported for the latest year. This 2018 share places the country at rank 74 globally and matches the 31.20 % share observed in Malaysia, one of its closest peers, while Niger records a slightly lower 31.10 % and Kosovo 30.80 %. The trough of the series occurred in 2002, when the top‑10 share fell to 27.00 %, indicating that the subsequent increase represents a sustained upward trajectory over the six‑year coverage window. The rise reflects growing income concentration alongside economic expansion, a pattern common among emerging economies in the region. Continued reforms aimed at broad‑based growth and progressive taxation could temper the upward pressure on the top‑10 share and alter the current trajectory.
Data & projection
| Year | Income Share Top 10% | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 31.20% | +2.20pp | #74 |
| 2012 | 29.00% | −0.20pp | #54 |
| 2007 | 29.20% | +2.20pp | #51 |
| 2002 | 27.00% | −2.10pp | #25 |
| 1997 | 29.10% | +1.10pp | #16 |
| 1992 | 28.00% | – | #18 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Lao PDR matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2023. 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
Lao PDR's income share top 10% was 31.20% in 2018. Ranked 74th globally. This represents a 7.6% increase from the previous year.
Lao PDR's income share top 10% peaked at 31.20% in 2018.
The lowest income share top 10% in Lao PDR was 27.00% in 2002.
Lao PDR ranks 74th globally in income share top 10% as of 2018.
The World Bank indicator code is SI.DST.10TH.10. Data sourced from World Bank.
The income share top 10% of Lao PDR in 2018 was 31.20%. This ranks 74th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_lao-pdr_income-top-10,
title = {Lao PDR Income Share Top 10%},
url = {https://historysaid.com/lao-pdr/income-top-10/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}