Palma ratio (before tax) in Belgium
Belgium: Palma ratio (before tax) was 2.44 in 2022. ▬ Flat
Palma ratio (before tax) in Belgium, 1985–2022
Source: World Inequality Database (WID.world) (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
Analysis
Belgium recorded 2.44 for palma ratio (before tax) in 2022.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 8.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, palma ratio (before tax) in Belgium peaked at 2.53 in 2007 and was at its lowest, 2.14, in 1985.
Belgium ranks 97th of 113 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
Palma ratio (before tax) in Belgium, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1985 | 2.14 | — |
| 1988 | 2.41 | +12.6% |
| 1991 | 2.3 | -4.9% |
| 1992 | 2.26 | -1.6% |
| 1993 | 2.29 | +1.3% |
| 1994 | 2.36 | +3.1% |
| 1995 | 2.34 | -0.7% |
| 1996 | 2.39 | +2.0% |
| 1997 | 2.41 | +1.0% |
| 1998 | 2.44 | +0.9% |
| 1999 | 2.49 | +2.0% |
| 2000 | 2.46 | -0.9% |
| 2001 | 2.39 | -2.8% |
| 2002 | 2.33 | -2.8% |
| 2003 | 2.39 | +2.5% |
| 2004 | 2.45 | +2.6% |
| 2005 | 2.41 | -1.6% |
| 2006 | 2.45 | +1.5% |
| 2007 | 2.53 | +3.5% |
| 2008 | 2.3 | -9.0% |
| 2009 | 2.22 | -3.6% |
| 2010 | 2.3 | +3.5% |
| 2011 | 2.23 | -2.7% |
| 2012 | 2.24 | +0.3% |
| 2014 | 2.3 | +2.5% |
| 2015 | 2.29 | -0.3% |
| 2016 | 2.29 | +0.0% |
| 2017 | 2.27 | -0.8% |
| 2018 | 2.42 | +6.5% |
| 2019 | 2.43 | +0.6% |
| 2020 | 2.43 | +0.0% |
| 2021 | 2.44 | +0.2% |
| 2022 | 2.44 | -0.0% |
Belgium compared with similar countries
- Belgium's 2.44 is below the median for high income countries, which is 2.75, 89% of the median. (45 countries reporting)
- Belgium's 2.44 is below the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 2.68, 91% of the median. (42 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 2.28 | 2.14 | 2.41 | 2 |
| 1990s | 2.36 | 2.26 | 2.49 | 9 |
| 2000s | 2.39 | 2.22 | 2.53 | 10 |
| 2010s | 2.31 | 2.23 | 2.43 | 9 |
| 2020s | 2.44 | 2.43 | 2.44 | 3 |
Countries ranked near Belgium
More reference data data for Belgium
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 0.9298 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 0.291 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 2.09 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 0.1382 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 2.09 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 3.12 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure Management 1.93 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 1.61 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 10.4 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 0.7526 (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is palma ratio (before tax) in Belgium?
- Palma ratio (before tax) in Belgium was 2.44 in 2022, according to World Inequality Database (WID.world) (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest palma ratio (before tax) recorded in Belgium?
- The highest recorded value was 2.53 in 2007.
- What is the lowest palma ratio (before tax) recorded in Belgium?
- The lowest recorded value was 2.14 in 1985.
- How does Belgium rank for palma ratio (before tax)?
- Belgium ranks 97th out of 113 countries with data for 2022.
- Is palma ratio (before tax) rising or falling in Belgium?
- Over the last ten years it is up 8.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this Belgium data come from?
- The figures come from World Inequality Database (WID.world) (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Palma ratio (before 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 before taxes and benefits.