Romania Income Share Top 10%
Income share held by highest 10% SI.DST.10TH.10
Romania's income share top 10% was 20.62% in 2025, ranked 71st globally. This represents a 5.4% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1989–2025.
Overview
Romania's income share top 10% stood at 20.62% in 2025, a decline of +1.18pp from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 20.62% by 2025. Romania ranked 71st globally.
Romania's income share held by the top 10% of earners has exhibited a notable fluctuation over the past three decades. Following a trough of 19.20% in 1989, the figure began to rise, peaking at 29.00% in 2006. This increase was likely driven by Romania's transition to a market-based economy, which led to economic growth and rising incomes. However, the trend reversed in subsequent years, with the top 10% income share declining to 20.62% in 2025, a ranking of #71 globally. This value is closely matched by Kyrgyz Republic's 20.76% and Slovenia's 20.62%, while Norway stands out as a higher-income country with a 21.62% share. The slight decline in Romania's top 10% income share suggests a narrowing of income inequality, potentially driven by increased social spending and economic policies aimed at reducing wealth disparities. A continued focus on social welfare programs and progressive taxation could further mitigate income inequality in Romania, potentially leading to a more equitable distribution of national income.
Data & projection
| Year | Income Share Top 10% | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | 19.92% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 20.62% | - | - |
| 2025 | 20.62% | −1.18pp | #71 |
| 2023 | 21.80% | −0.80pp | #5 |
| 2022 | 22.60% | −1.40pp | #10 |
| 2021 | 24.00% | −0.20pp | #15 |
| 2020 | 24.20% | −0.30pp | #24 |
| 2019 | 24.50% | −0.40pp | #26 |
| 2018 | 24.90% | +0.00pp | #31 |
| 2017 | 24.90% | +1.20pp | #28 |
| 2016 | 23.70% | −1.10pp | #21 |
| 2015 | 24.80% | +0.30pp | #27 |
| 2014 | 24.50% | −0.90pp | #26 |
| 2013 | 25.40% | +0.00pp | #31 |
| 2012 | 25.40% | +0.50pp | #34 |
| 2011 | 24.90% | −0.10pp | #33 |
| 2010 | 25.00% | −0.70pp | #30 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Romania matched the Fiscal Dominance Trap pattern in 2023. 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
Romania's income share top 10% was 20.62% in 2025. Ranked 71st globally. This represents a 5.4% decrease from the previous year.
Romania's income share top 10% peaked at 29.00% in 2006.
The lowest income share top 10% in Romania was 19.20% in 1989.
Romania ranks 71st globally in income share top 10% as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SI.DST.10TH.10. Data sourced from World Bank.
Romania's income share top 10% is projected to reach 20.62% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The income share top 10% of Romania in 2025 was 20.62%. This ranks 71st in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_romania_income-top-10,
title = {Romania Income Share Top 10%},
url = {https://historysaid.com/romania/income-top-10/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}