Palma ratio (before tax) in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka: Palma ratio (before tax) was 5.27 in 2016. ▲ Rising
Palma ratio (before tax) in Sri Lanka, 1985–2016
Source: World Inequality Database (WID.world) (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
Analysis
In 2016, palma ratio (before tax) in Sri Lanka stood at 5.27.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 9.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, palma ratio (before tax) in Sri Lanka peaked at 6.18 in 2002 and was at its lowest, 3.89, in 1985.
Sri Lanka ranks 40th of 113 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 3.89 | 3.89 | 3.89 | 1 |
| 1990s | 4.31 | 4.11 | 4.51 | 2 |
| 2000s | 5.59 | 4.76 | 6.18 | 3 |
| 2010s | 5.29 | 5.27 | 5.31 | 2 |
Countries ranked near Sri Lanka
More reference data data for Sri Lanka
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- Temperature anomalies by month 0.0088 °C (2026)
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Frequently asked questions
- What is palma ratio (before tax) in Sri Lanka?
- Palma ratio (before tax) in Sri Lanka was 5.27 in 2016, 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 Sri Lanka?
- The highest recorded value was 6.18 in 2002.
- What is the lowest palma ratio (before tax) recorded in Sri Lanka?
- The lowest recorded value was 3.89 in 1985.
- How does Sri Lanka rank for palma ratio (before tax)?
- Sri Lanka ranks 40th out of 113 countries with data for 2016.
- Is palma ratio (before tax) rising or falling in Sri Lanka?
- Over the last ten years it is down 9.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Sri Lanka 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.