Palma ratio (before tax) in Singapore
Singapore: Palma ratio (before tax) was 4.14 in 2014. ▲ Rising
Palma ratio (before tax) in Singapore, 1947–2014
Source: World Inequality Database (WID.world) (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
Analysis
The most recent figure for palma ratio (before tax) in Singapore is 4.14, measured in 2014.
The figure is up 4.0% on the previous year and up 17.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, palma ratio (before tax) in Singapore peaked at 4.26 in 2001 and was at its lowest, 1.79, in 1952.
Singapore ranks 61st of 113 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 67 years of available data.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1940s | 1.8 | 1.79 | 1.8 | 3 |
| 1950s | 1.81 | 1.79 | 1.84 | 9 |
| 1960s | 1.83 | 1.79 | 2.16 | 10 |
| 1970s | 2.41 | 2.27 | 2.75 | 10 |
| 1980s | 2.62 | 2.45 | 2.91 | 10 |
| 1990s | 2.61 | 2.25 | 3.3 | 10 |
| 2000s | 3.78 | 3.33 | 4.26 | 10 |
| 2010s | 3.93 | 3.65 | 4.14 | 5 |
Countries ranked near Singapore
More reference data data for Singapore
- Universal right to vote in practice 2 (2025)
- Consumer price index 134.36 2010 = 100 (2025)
- Universal right to vote 2 (2025)
- Competitive elections 0 (2025)
- Men's universal right to vote 1 (2025)
- Elected parliament 1 (2025)
- Chief executive of the government is elected 1 (2025)
- Democracy 3 (2025)
- Civil liberties rating 4 (2025)
- Free country 1 (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is palma ratio (before tax) in Singapore?
- Palma ratio (before tax) in Singapore was 4.14 in 2014, 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 Singapore?
- The highest recorded value was 4.26 in 2001.
- What is the lowest palma ratio (before tax) recorded in Singapore?
- The lowest recorded value was 1.79 in 1952.
- How does Singapore rank for palma ratio (before tax)?
- Singapore ranks 61st out of 113 countries with data for 2014.
- Is palma ratio (before tax) rising or falling in Singapore?
- Over the last ten years it is up 17.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Singapore 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.