Palma ratio (before tax) in Hong Kong
Hong Kong: Palma ratio (before tax) was 5.54 in 2024. ▲ Rising
Palma ratio (before tax) in Hong Kong, 1981–2024
Source: World Inequality Database (WID.world) (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
Analysis
In 2024, palma ratio (before tax) in Hong Kong stood at 5.54.
Compared with earlier readings it is unchanged over ten years.
Over the whole period, palma ratio (before tax) in Hong Kong peaked at 6.09 in 2011 and was at its lowest, 3.4, in 1986.
Hong Kong ranks 32nd of 113 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 11 years of available data.
Palma ratio (before tax) in Hong Kong, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1981 | 3.43 | — |
| 1986 | 3.4 | -0.8% |
| 1991 | 4.15 | +22.0% |
| 1996 | 3.79 | -8.6% |
| 2001 | 4.48 | +18.2% |
| 2006 | 6 | +33.9% |
| 2011 | 6.09 | +1.6% |
| 2016 | 5.54 | -9.1% |
| 2022 | 5.54 | +0.0% |
| 2023 | 5.54 | +0.0% |
| 2024 | 5.54 | +0.0% |
Hong Kong compared with similar countries
- Hong Kong's 5.54 is above the median for high income countries, which is 2.75, 2.0× the median. (45 countries reporting)
- Hong Kong's 5.54 is above the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 4.77, 1.2× the median. (14 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 3.41 | 3.4 | 3.43 | 2 |
| 1990s | 3.97 | 3.79 | 4.15 | 2 |
| 2000s | 5.24 | 4.48 | 6 | 2 |
| 2010s | 5.82 | 5.54 | 6.09 | 2 |
| 2020s | 5.54 | 5.54 | 5.54 | 3 |
Countries ranked near Hong Kong
More reference data data for Hong Kong
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 0.004 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (CO2eq) (AR5) - Burning - Crop residues 0 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Direct emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 0.0219 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (CO2eq) (AR5) - Agricultural Soils 7.72 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Direct emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 0.0028 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Direct emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 0.0219 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Direct emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 0 (1990)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (CO2eq) from N2O (AR5) - Burning - Crop 0 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 0.0012 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 0 (1990)
Frequently asked questions
- What is palma ratio (before tax) in Hong Kong?
- Palma ratio (before tax) in Hong Kong was 5.54 in 2024, 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 Hong Kong?
- The highest recorded value was 6.09 in 2011.
- What is the lowest palma ratio (before tax) recorded in Hong Kong?
- The lowest recorded value was 3.4 in 1986.
- How does Hong Kong rank for palma ratio (before tax)?
- Hong Kong ranks 32nd out of 113 countries with data for 2024.
- Is palma ratio (before tax) rising or falling in Hong Kong?
- Over the last ten years it is unchanged. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Hong Kong 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
CSV · JSON — 11 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
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.