United States Income Share Bottom 10%
Income share held by lowest 10% SI.DST.FRST.10
United States's income share bottom 10% was 1.84% in 2025, ranked 62nd globally. This represents a 2.2% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1963–2025.
Overview
United States's income share bottom 10% stood at 1.84% in 2025, a rise of +0.04pp from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 1.84% by 2025. United States ranked 62nd globally.
The United States’ share of total national income accruing to the bottom 10 percent of earners stood at 1.84 percent in 2025, placing the country 62nd in the global ranking. This figure is marginally above the all‑time trough of 1.80 percent recorded in 2023 but remains well below the peak of 2.40 percent reached in 1980, indicating a long‑term contraction of income share for the poorest decile. Over the 62‑year series beginning in 1963, when the share was 1.90 percent, the United States has experienced only modest fluctuations, suggesting structural forces that limit upward mobility for the lowest earners. By comparison, neighboring peer Bolivia records a slightly higher share of 1.86 percent, while Costa Rica’s share is 1.78 percent, underscoring the United States’ relative position near the lower end of the distribution among comparable economies. Continued policy emphasis on progressive taxation and targeted social transfers will be crucial if the United States is to reverse the gradual decline and raise the bottom‑10 percent’s income share in the coming years.
Data & projection
| Year | Income Share Bottom 10% | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | 1.81% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 1.84% | - | - |
| 2025 | 1.84% | +0.04pp | #62 |
| 2023 | 1.80% | +0.00pp | #46 |
| 2022 | 1.80% | −0.50pp | #61 |
| 2021 | 2.30% | +0.20pp | #57 |
| 2020 | 2.10% | +0.30pp | #54 |
| 2019 | 1.80% | +0.00pp | #67 |
| 2018 | 1.80% | +0.00pp | #81 |
| 2017 | 1.80% | +0.00pp | #64 |
| 2016 | 1.80% | −0.10pp | #68 |
| 2015 | 1.90% | +0.10pp | #65 |
| 2014 | 1.80% | −0.10pp | #67 |
| 2013 | 1.90% | +0.10pp | #61 |
| 2012 | 1.80% | +0.00pp | #70 |
| 2011 | 1.80% | −0.10pp | #70 |
| 2010 | 1.90% | +0.00pp | #70 |
Analysis
United States's income share bottom 10% was 1.84% in 2025, a rise of +0.04pp from 2024. Based on trends, estimated 1.84% by 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions
United States's income share bottom 10% was 1.84% in 2025. Ranked 62nd globally. This represents a 2.2% increase from the previous year.
United States's income share bottom 10% peaked at 2.40% in 1980.
The lowest income share bottom 10% in United States was 1.80% in 2003.
United States ranks 62nd globally in income share bottom 10% as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SI.DST.FRST.10. Data sourced from World Bank.
United States's income share bottom 10% is projected to reach 1.84% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The income share bottom 10% of United States in 2025 was 1.84%. This ranks 62nd in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_united-states_income-bottom-10,
title = {United States Income Share Bottom 10%},
url = {https://historysaid.com/united-states/income-bottom-10/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}