United Kingdom Income Share Bottom 10%
Income share held by lowest 10% SI.DST.FRST.10
United Kingdom's income share bottom 10% was 3.00% in 2021, ranked 34th globally. This represents a 3.2% decrease from 2020. Data from World Bank, covering 1968–2021.
Overview
United Kingdom's income share bottom 10% stood at 3.00% in 2021, a decline of +0.10pp from 2020. United Kingdom ranked 34th globally.
The United Kingdom’s share of national income accruing to the bottom 10 % of earners stood at 3.00 percent in 2021, placing the country 34th in the world and equalising its rank with peers such as Switzerland, Senegal and Burkina Faso. This figure represents a modest decline from the all‑time peak of 4.30 percent recorded in 1968, when the bottom decile’s share was highest over the 54‑year series. The lowest point occurred in 2000, when the share fell to 2.70 percent, signalling a pronounced contraction of income for the poorest households at the turn of the millennium. Since that trough, the bottom‑10 percent share has risen gradually, reaching the current 3.00 percent level, yet it remains below the early‑period peak and only marginally above the 2000 trough. Continued improvements in low‑income earnings will depend on policy measures that enhance labour market participation and redistribute growth, which could sustain an upward trajectory for the bottom‑decile share in the coming years.
Data & projection
| Year | Income Share Bottom 10% | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3.00% | −0.10pp | #34 |
| 2020 | 3.10% | +0.20pp | #24 |
| 2019 | 2.90% | +0.00pp | #37 |
| 2018 | 2.90% | −0.10pp | #40 |
| 2017 | 3.00% | +0.00pp | #30 |
| 2016 | 3.00% | −0.10pp | #29 |
| 2015 | 3.10% | +0.00pp | #27 |
| 2014 | 3.10% | −0.10pp | #29 |
| 2013 | 3.20% | +0.10pp | #21 |
| 2012 | 3.10% | −0.10pp | #27 |
| 2011 | 3.20% | +0.10pp | #26 |
| 2010 | 3.10% | +0.20pp | #35 |
| 2009 | 2.90% | +0.10pp | #34 |
| 2008 | 2.80% | −0.10pp | #36 |
| 2007 | 2.90% | +0.00pp | #36 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
United Kingdom matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 1985. 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
United Kingdom's income share bottom 10% was 3.00% in 2021. Ranked 34th globally. This represents a 3.2% decrease from the previous year.
United Kingdom's income share bottom 10% peaked at 4.30% in 1968.
The lowest income share bottom 10% in United Kingdom was 2.70% in 2000.
United Kingdom ranks 34th globally in income share bottom 10% as of 2021.
The World Bank indicator code is SI.DST.FRST.10. Data sourced from World Bank.
The income share bottom 10% of United Kingdom in 2021 was 3.00%. This ranks 34th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_united-kingdom_income-bottom-10,
title = {United Kingdom Income Share Bottom 10%},
url = {https://historysaid.com/united-kingdom/income-bottom-10/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}