United Kingdom Income Share Top 10%
Income share held by highest 10% SI.DST.10TH.10
United Kingdom's income share top 10% was 24.60% in 2021, ranked 24th globally. This represents a 0.0% increase from 2020. Data from World Bank, covering 1968–2021.
Overview
United Kingdom's income share top 10% stood at 24.60% in 2021, a rise of +0.00pp from 2020. United Kingdom ranked 24th globally.
The United Kingdom’s share of income accruing to the top 10 percent of earners stood at 24.60 percent in 2021, placing the country 24th in the world according to World Bank data. This level is marginally higher than the earliest recorded share of 21.90 percent in 1968 and close to the figure recorded for peer economies such as Egypt and the Republic of Korea, both also at 24.60 percent. The British top‑10 share reached its all‑time high of 30.80 percent in 2000, reflecting a period of accelerating earnings concentration, before falling to a trough of 21.50 percent in 1978. Over the 54‑year span, the upward trajectory since the late 1970s suggests a gradual re‑consolidation of income at the top, a pattern that could be altered by policy measures aimed at redistribution or by shifts in labour market dynamics.
Data & projection
| Year | Income Share Top 10% | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 24.60% | +0.00pp | #24 |
| 2020 | 24.60% | −0.10pp | #26 |
| 2019 | 24.70% | −0.70pp | #30 |
| 2018 | 25.40% | +0.90pp | #34 |
| 2017 | 24.50% | −0.60pp | #25 |
| 2016 | 25.10% | −0.20pp | #30 |
| 2015 | 25.30% | +0.10pp | #31 |
| 2014 | 25.20% | +0.30pp | #32 |
| 2013 | 24.90% | −0.40pp | #27 |
| 2012 | 25.30% | −0.20pp | #31 |
| 2011 | 25.50% | −0.50pp | #35 |
| 2010 | 26.00% | −1.00pp | #41 |
| 2009 | 27.00% | −0.20pp | #44 |
| 2008 | 27.20% | +1.10pp | #43 |
| 2007 | 26.10% | −1.80pp | #33 |
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 top 10% improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
United Kingdom's income share top 10% was 24.60% in 2021. Ranked 24th globally. This represents a 0.0% increase from the previous year.
United Kingdom's income share top 10% peaked at 30.80% in 2000.
The lowest income share top 10% in United Kingdom was 21.50% in 1978.
United Kingdom ranks 24th globally in income share top 10% as of 2021.
The World Bank indicator code is SI.DST.10TH.10. Data sourced from World Bank.
The income share top 10% of United Kingdom in 2021 was 24.60%. This ranks 24th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_united-kingdom_income-top-10,
title = {United Kingdom Income Share Top 10%},
url = {https://historysaid.com/united-kingdom/income-top-10/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}