In 2024, the share of income going to the top 0.1% ranged from 1.6% in the Netherlands to 10.2% in Georgia across 35 countries.
Within the EU, Estonia recorded the highest level at 8.3%, followed by Bulgaria (7.5%) and Poland (7%). Serbia and Turkey exceed 6%, while Denmark and Romania are also above 5%.
By contrast, Cyprus ranks among the least unequal, with just 2.2% of income going to the top 0.1%, second only to the Netherlands.
Major economies show broadly similar levels, with around 5% of income concentrated at the top: Spain (5%), Germany, the UK and France (all 4.9%). Ireland stands slightly above the European average at 4.8%.
Countries such as Greece (4.5%), Switzerland (4.3%) and the Czech Republic (4.2%) fall in the middle range, while Scandinavia generally reports lower concentrations due to stronger redistribution policies.
Experts say the differences reflect not only tax policies but also wage gaps, institutional strength and social protection systems. Countries with stronger collective bargaining, lower unemployment and more extensive welfare systems tend to contain inequality more effectively.
Historically, inequality in Europe fell steadily from 6.4% in 1940 to 2.7% in the early 1980s, before rising again to around 5% prior to the financial crisis and stabilising at 4.5% in recent years.
Source: newmoney.gr
