One question I often ask students to research is – which countries in the world have the highest income inequality?
![Countries with the Highest Income Inequality (1) Countries with the Highest Income Inequality (1)](https://i0.wp.com/tutor2u-net.imgix.net/library/Economics/shutterstock_1986970727.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=clip&q=80&w=800)
Data for 2021 has been published as part of the 2022 Human Development Report. South Africa has the highest income inequality as measured by the Gini coefficient. Using this measure, a score of zero indicates no inequality, a score of 100 shows perfect inequality. South Africa has a GNI per capita of $12,938 according to 2021 data and adjusted for purchasing power parity. It is a middle-income country but one with huge, persistent income inequality.
- In South Africa, the poorest 40% of the population have only 7% of total income
- The richest one per cent have 22% of total income
- The richest 10% have 50% of total income.