Zambia Income Share Top 10%
Income share held by highest 10% SI.DST.10TH.10
Zambia's income share top 10% was 39.58% in 2025, ranked 4th globally. This represents a 1.2% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1991–2025.
Overview
Zambia's income share top 10% stood at 39.58% in 2025, a rise of +0.48pp from 2022. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 39.58% by 2025. Zambia ranked 4th globally.
Zambia’s share of income captured by the top 10 % of earners stood at 39.58 % in 2025, placing the country fourth in the world according to World Bank data. This figure is slightly lower than the all‑time peak of 43.40 % recorded in 2015 and markedly above the all‑time trough of 33.70 % reached in 2002, indicating a long‑term upward bias despite a modest recent decline. Over the 11‑year coverage period, the top‑decile share has remained above 38 %, a level comparable to Brazil’s 40.62 % and higher than Panama’s 37.67 %, suggesting that Zambia’s income concentration is similar to that of upper‑middle‑income economies rather than its regional neighbour Mozambique, which records 42.94 %. The persistence of a high top‑10 % share points to structural factors such as limited tax progressivity and concentration of wealth in extractive sectors. If fiscal reforms broaden the tax base and improve redistribution, the upward trajectory could be moderated, potentially lowering the share held by the richest decile in the coming decade.
Data & projection
| Year | Income Share Top 10% | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025* trend | 39.58% | - | - |
| 2025 | 39.58% | +0.48pp | #4 |
| 2022 | 39.10% | −4.30pp | #66 |
| 2015 | 43.40% | +2.40pp | #84 |
| 2010 | 41.00% | −2.10pp | #82 |
| 2006 | 43.10% | +0.40pp | #78 |
| 2004 | 42.70% | +9.00pp | #69 |
| 2002 | 33.70% | −4.50pp | #48 |
| 1998 | 38.20% | +0.90pp | #43 |
| 1996 | 37.30% | −2.00pp | #34 |
| 1993 | 39.30% | −3.30pp | #28 |
| 1991 | 42.60% | – | #22 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Zambia matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2021. 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
Zambia's income share top 10% was 39.58% in 2025. Ranked 4th globally. This represents a 1.2% increase from the previous year.
Zambia's income share top 10% peaked at 43.40% in 2015.
The lowest income share top 10% in Zambia was 33.70% in 2002.
Zambia ranks 4th globally in income share top 10% as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SI.DST.10TH.10. Data sourced from World Bank.
Zambia's income share top 10% is projected to reach 39.58% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The income share top 10% of Zambia in 2025 was 39.58%. This ranks 4th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_zambia_income-top-10,
title = {Zambia Income Share Top 10%},
url = {https://historysaid.com/zambia/income-top-10/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}