Income inequality: Palma ratio (after tax) in Germany
Germany: Income inequality: Palma ratio (after tax) was 1.17 in 2022. ▲ Rising
Income inequality: Palma ratio (after tax) in Germany, 1973–2022
Source: Luxembourg Income Study (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
Analysis
The most recent figure for income inequality: palma ratio (after tax) in Germany is 1.17, measured in 2022.
That represents a change of down 1.5% on the previous year and up 12.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, income inequality: palma ratio (after tax) in Germany peaked at 1.19 in 2021 and was at its lowest, 0.8258, in 1986.
Germany ranks 22nd of 48 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 42 years of available data.
Income inequality: Palma ratio (after tax) in Germany, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1973 | 0.9541 | — |
| 1978 | 0.923 | -3.3% |
| 1983 | 0.9065 | -1.8% |
| 1984 | 0.8777 | -3.2% |
| 1985 | 0.8647 | -1.5% |
| 1986 | 0.8258 | -4.5% |
| 1987 | 0.8501 | +2.9% |
| 1988 | 0.8577 | +0.9% |
| 1989 | 0.8766 | +2.2% |
| 1990 | 0.8697 | -0.8% |
| 1991 | 0.9056 | +4.1% |
| 1992 | 0.8977 | -0.9% |
| 1993 | 0.8645 | -3.7% |
| 1994 | 0.8896 | +2.9% |
| 1995 | 0.8671 | -2.5% |
| 1996 | 0.8541 | -1.5% |
| 1997 | 0.8446 | -1.1% |
| 1998 | 0.8504 | +0.7% |
| 1999 | 0.8923 | +4.9% |
| 2000 | 0.887 | -0.6% |
| 2001 | 0.9504 | +7.1% |
| 2002 | 0.9525 | +0.2% |
| 2003 | 0.9414 | -1.2% |
| 2004 | 0.9488 | +0.8% |
| 2005 | 1.04 | +10.0% |
| 2006 | 1.03 | -1.6% |
| 2007 | 1.05 | +1.7% |
| 2008 | 1.02 | -2.1% |
| 2009 | 1.02 | -0.5% |
| 2010 | 1.03 | +1.0% |
| 2011 | 1.03 | +0.0% |
| 2012 | 1.04 | +1.1% |
| 2013 | 1.07 | +3.1% |
| 2014 | 1.03 | -4.3% |
| 2015 | 1.06 | +3.3% |
| 2016 | 1.06 | +0.3% |
| 2017 | 1.06 | -0.1% |
| 2018 | 1.12 | +5.0% |
| 2019 | 1.14 | +2.3% |
| 2020 | 1.13 | -0.5% |
| 2021 | 1.19 | +5.0% |
| 2022 | 1.17 | -1.5% |
Germany compared with similar countries
- Germany's 1.17 is above the median for high income countries, which is 1.09, 1.1× the median. (36 countries reporting)
- Germany's 1.17 is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 1.04, 1.1× the median. (29 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 0.9386 | 0.923 | 0.9541 | 2 |
| 1980s | 0.8656 | 0.8258 | 0.9065 | 7 |
| 1990s | 0.8736 | 0.8446 | 0.9056 | 10 |
| 2000s | 0.9839 | 0.887 | 1.05 | 10 |
| 2010s | 1.06 | 1.03 | 1.14 | 10 |
| 2020s | 1.17 | 1.13 | 1.19 | 3 |
Countries ranked near Germany
More economy & growth data for Germany
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 04 - Annual real GDP 0.7761 Percent per annum (2029)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 02 - Annual real GDP 0.6565 Percent per annum (2029)
- Foreign direct investment, net outflows (BoP, current US$), gaps 108.13 billion BoP, current US$ (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net outflows (BoP, current US$), per unit 0.0214 BoP, current US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net outflows (BoP, current US$), per capita 1,295 BoP, current US$ per person (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), gaps filled 95.19 billion BoP, current US$ (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), annual 51.97 % change on previous year (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), per unit 0.0188 BoP, current US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), per capita 1,140 BoP, current US$ per person (2025)
- Total reserves (includes gold, current US$), annual growth rate 51.4 % change on previous year (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is income inequality: palma ratio (after tax) in Germany?
- Income inequality: palma ratio (after tax) in Germany was 1.17 in 2022, according to Luxembourg Income Study (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest income inequality: palma ratio (after tax) recorded in Germany?
- The highest recorded value was 1.19 in 2021.
- What is the lowest income inequality: palma ratio (after tax) recorded in Germany?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.8258 in 1986.
- How does Germany rank for income inequality: palma ratio (after tax)?
- Germany ranks 22nd out of 48 countries with data for 2022.
- Is income inequality: palma ratio (after tax) rising or falling in Germany?
- Over the last ten years it is up 12.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Germany data come from?
- The figures come from Luxembourg Income Study (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Income inequality: Palma ratio (after tax). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
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About this data
The Palma ratio is a measure of inequality that divides the share received by the richest 10% by the share of the poorest 40%. Higher values indicate higher inequality. Inequality is measured here in terms of income after taxes and benefits.