Sri Lanka Income Share Bottom 10%
Income share held by lowest 10% SI.DST.FRST.10
Sri Lanka's income share bottom 10% was 3.10% in 2019, ranked 29th globally. This represents a 3.3% increase from 2018. Data from World Bank, covering 1985–2019.
Overview
Sri Lanka's income share bottom 10% stood at 3.10% in 2019, a rise of +0.10pp from 2016. Sri Lanka ranked 29th globally.
Sri Lanka's income share of the bottom 10% of the population, a key indicator of income inequality, has exhibited fluctuations since 1985. At its peak in 1990, this share reached 3.70%, though it has gradually declined since then. The country experienced a significant drop in 2016, with the share falling to 3.00%, marking its lowest point in the available data. However, the latest available data from 2019 indicates a slight increase to 3.10%, albeit still below the 1990 peak. Notably, Sri Lanka's performance is comparable to that of Mauritania, which also recorded a share of 3.10% in 2019. The trajectory of income inequality in Sri Lanka remains a subject of interest, particularly in the context of its closest peer countries, such as France, which has maintained a similar share since 2019. A sustained economic growth, coupled with targeted social policies, could potentially alter the trajectory of income inequality in Sri Lanka, moving the country towards a more equitable distribution of income.
Data & projection
| Year | Income Share Bottom 10% | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 3.10% | +0.10pp | #29 |
| 2016 | 3.00% | +0.00pp | #30 |
| 2012 | 3.00% | −0.30pp | #34 |
| 2009 | 3.30% | +0.30pp | #20 |
| 2006 | 3.00% | +0.00pp | #33 |
| 2002 | 3.00% | −0.40pp | #26 |
| 1995 | 3.40% | −0.30pp | #12 |
| 1990 | 3.70% | +0.10pp | #4 |
| 1985 | 3.60% | – | #6 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Sri Lanka matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2024. 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
Sri Lanka's income share bottom 10% was 3.10% in 2019. Ranked 29th globally. This represents a 3.3% increase from the previous year.
Sri Lanka's income share bottom 10% peaked at 3.70% in 1990.
The lowest income share bottom 10% in Sri Lanka was 3.00% in 2002.
Sri Lanka ranks 29th globally in income share bottom 10% as of 2019.
The World Bank indicator code is SI.DST.FRST.10. Data sourced from World Bank.
The income share bottom 10% of Sri Lanka in 2019 was 3.10%. This ranks 29th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_sri-lanka_income-bottom-10,
title = {Sri Lanka Income Share Bottom 10%},
url = {https://historysaid.com/sri-lanka/income-bottom-10/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}