Gini Index by Country (2023)

Global Income Inequality

The Gini index is the most widely used single-number measure of income distribution. South Africa consistently records one of the world's highest coefficients — around 63 — reflecting the lasting economic legacy of apartheid. Brazil, Colombia, and Central American countries also show values above 50. In contrast, the lowest Gini values (below 30) are found in Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Nordic countries, where progressive taxation and strong social safety nets compress the distribution.

Income inequality matters for economic growth, social stability, and health outcomes. High inequality reduces social mobility, concentrates political power, and is associated with lower life expectancy, higher crime, and worse educational outcomes. The Gini index captures income but not wealth inequality, which is typically much more extreme. Global wealth inequality is far higher than income inequality.