Uganda Income Share Top 10%
Income share held by highest 10% SI.DST.10TH.10
Uganda's income share top 10% was 34.50% in 2019, ranked 70th globally. This represents a 0.9% increase from 2018. Data from World Bank, covering 1989–2019.
Overview
Uganda's income share top 10% stood at 34.50% in 2019, a rise of +0.30pp from 2016. Uganda ranked 70th globally.
Uganda’s share of national income captured by the top 10 percent of earners stood at 34.50 percent in 2019, placing the country 70th in the world and essentially matching Ecuador’s 2019 figure while edging slightly below Honduras (34.60 percent). The indicator has shown modest volatility over the thirty‑year record: the all‑time peak of 37.50 percent occurred in 2002, whereas the trough of 31.30 percent was recorded in 1996, after which the share rose gradually to the current level. The early‑year trough coincided with structural adjustment programmes that reduced fiscal capacity, while the early‑2000s peak reflected rapid growth in extractive and service sectors that disproportionately benefitted elite groups. Since the mid‑1990s the top‑10 percent share has increased by roughly 3.2 percentage points, suggesting a slow but persistent concentration of income. Continued investment in inclusive education and progressive taxation could dampen this upward trajectory and promote a more equitable distribution in the coming decade.
Data & projection
| Year | Income Share Top 10% | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 34.50% | +0.30pp | #70 |
| 2016 | 34.20% | +1.30pp | #71 |
| 2012 | 32.90% | −3.50pp | #73 |
| 2009 | 36.40% | +1.90pp | #70 |
| 2005 | 34.50% | −3.00pp | #60 |
| 2002 | 37.50% | +2.60pp | #52 |
| 1999 | 34.90% | +3.60pp | #29 |
| 1996 | 31.30% | −2.20pp | #24 |
| 1992 | 33.50% | −0.20pp | #26 |
| 1989 | 33.70% | – | #13 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Uganda matched the Orthodox Tightening Cycle pattern in 2011. Historically, 57% of countries showing this pattern (177 out of 311) saw income share top 10% improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Uganda's income share top 10% was 34.50% in 2019. Ranked 70th globally. This represents a 0.9% increase from the previous year.
Uganda's income share top 10% peaked at 37.50% in 2002.
The lowest income share top 10% in Uganda was 31.30% in 1996.
Uganda ranks 70th globally in income share top 10% as of 2019.
The World Bank indicator code is SI.DST.10TH.10. Data sourced from World Bank.
The income share top 10% of Uganda in 2019 was 34.50%. This ranks 70th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_uganda_income-top-10,
title = {Uganda Income Share Top 10%},
url = {https://historysaid.com/uganda/income-top-10/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}