Sweden Income Share Top 10%
Income share held by highest 10% SI.DST.10TH.10
Sweden's income share top 10% was 23.56% in 2025, ranked 59th globally. This represents a 5.7% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1975–2025.
Overview
Sweden's income share top 10% stood at 23.56% in 2025, a rise of +1.26pp from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 23.56% by 2025. Sweden ranked 59th globally.
Sweden’s share of income accruing to the top 10 percent of earners rose from 19.10 percent in 1975 to a peak of 24.70 percent in 2022, before slipping slightly to 23.56 percent in 2025, placing the country 59th globally. The trough in 1981, when the top‑decile share fell to 17.90 percent, marked the low point of a three‑decade trajectory that has since been characterised by a steady upward drift, reflecting broader trends of rising inequality in advanced economies. Sweden’s 2025 figure is marginally below Ireland’s 24.10 percent and Croatia’s 23.78 percent, but above India’s 23.41 percent, underscoring its position among nations with relatively high elite income concentration. The modest decline from the 2022 peak suggests that recent policy interventions, such as adjustments to progressive taxation and expanded social benefits, may be tempering the rise. Continued emphasis on redistributive measures and inclusive growth will be crucial if Sweden aims to reverse the upward trend in top‑income share.
Data & projection
| Year | Income Share Top 10% | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | 23.71% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 23.56% | - | - |
| 2025 | 23.56% | +1.26pp | #59 |
| 2023 | 22.30% | −2.40pp | #7 |
| 2022 | 24.70% | +2.00pp | #25 |
| 2021 | 22.70% | +0.30pp | #9 |
| 2020 | 22.40% | −0.30pp | #10 |
| 2019 | 22.70% | −0.20pp | #11 |
| 2018 | 22.90% | +0.60pp | #17 |
| 2017 | 22.30% | −1.00pp | #10 |
| 2016 | 23.30% | +0.40pp | #19 |
| 2015 | 22.90% | +0.70pp | #13 |
| 2014 | 22.20% | +0.00pp | #9 |
| 2013 | 22.20% | +0.60pp | #11 |
| 2012 | 21.60% | +0.00pp | #5 |
| 2011 | 21.60% | −0.20pp | #5 |
| 2010 | 21.80% | +0.40pp | #4 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Sweden matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2007. 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
Sweden's income share top 10% was 23.56% in 2025. Ranked 59th globally. This represents a 5.7% increase from the previous year.
Sweden's income share top 10% peaked at 24.70% in 2022.
The lowest income share top 10% in Sweden was 17.90% in 1981.
Sweden ranks 59th globally in income share top 10% as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SI.DST.10TH.10. Data sourced from World Bank.
Sweden's income share top 10% is projected to reach 23.56% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The income share top 10% of Sweden in 2025 was 23.56%. This ranks 59th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_sweden_income-top-10,
title = {Sweden Income Share Top 10%},
url = {https://historysaid.com/sweden/income-top-10/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}