Palma ratio (before tax) in Switzerland
Switzerland: Palma ratio (before tax) was 2.11 in 2022. ▼ Falling
Palma ratio (before tax) in Switzerland, 1933–2022
Source: World Inequality Database (WID.world) (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
Analysis
Switzerland recorded 2.11 for palma ratio (before tax) in 2022.
That represents a change of up 5.1% on the previous year and down 3.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, palma ratio (before tax) in Switzerland peaked at 2.81 in 1939 and was at its lowest, 1.73, in 1979.
That places Switzerland 106th out of 113 countries with data for 2022, putting it in the bottom quarter.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 56 years of available data.
Palma ratio (before tax) in Switzerland, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1933 | 2.77 | — |
| 1934 | 2.77 | +0.0% |
| 1936 | 2.77 | -0.2% |
| 1939 | 2.81 | +1.6% |
| 1941 | 2.72 | -3.5% |
| 1943 | 2.58 | -5.0% |
| 1945 | 2.46 | -4.7% |
| 1947 | 2.33 | -5.4% |
| 1949 | 2.21 | -5.0% |
| 1951 | 2.15 | -2.8% |
| 1953 | 2.14 | -0.4% |
| 1955 | 2.15 | +0.3% |
| 1957 | 2.15 | +0.0% |
| 1959 | 2.15 | +0.3% |
| 1961 | 2.13 | -1.2% |
| 1963 | 2.08 | -2.0% |
| 1965 | 2.03 | -2.5% |
| 1967 | 2 | -1.7% |
| 1969 | 1.96 | -1.8% |
| 1971 | 1.91 | -2.9% |
| 1973 | 1.85 | -3.1% |
| 1975 | 1.82 | -1.7% |
| 1977 | 1.77 | -2.4% |
| 1979 | 1.73 | -2.0% |
| 1982 | 1.94 | +11.9% |
| 1983 | 1.96 | +0.8% |
| 1985 | 2.01 | +3.0% |
| 1987 | 1.99 | -1.1% |
| 1989 | 1.91 | -4.0% |
| 1992 | 1.88 | -1.5% |
| 1993 | 1.88 | -0.2% |
| 1996 | 1.99 | +6.2% |
| 1997 | 2.05 | +2.7% |
| 1998 | 2.1 | +2.6% |
| 1999 | 2.04 | -3.1% |
| 2000 | 2.12 | +4.0% |
| 2001 | 2.06 | -2.9% |
| 2002 | 1.97 | -4.4% |
| 2003 | 2.16 | +9.9% |
| 2004 | 2.21 | +2.4% |
| 2005 | 2.35 | +6.2% |
| 2006 | 2.41 | +2.6% |
| 2007 | 2.27 | -5.8% |
| 2008 | 2.02 | -11.3% |
| 2009 | 2.08 | +3.0% |
| 2010 | 2.31 | +11.1% |
| 2011 | 2.29 | -0.6% |
| 2012 | 2.19 | -4.3% |
| 2015 | 2.18 | -0.8% |
| 2016 | 2.19 | +0.6% |
| 2017 | 2.14 | -2.5% |
| 2018 | 2.03 | -5.0% |
| 2019 | 1.99 | -2.0% |
| 2020 | 1.99 | +0.0% |
| 2021 | 2.01 | +1.0% |
| 2022 | 2.11 | +5.1% |
Switzerland compared with similar countries
- Switzerland's 2.11 is below the median for high income countries, which is 2.75, 77% of the median. (45 countries reporting)
- Switzerland's 2.11 is below the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 2.68, 79% of the median. (42 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1930s | 2.78 | 2.77 | 2.81 | 4 |
| 1940s | 2.46 | 2.21 | 2.72 | 5 |
| 1950s | 2.15 | 2.14 | 2.15 | 5 |
| 1960s | 2.04 | 1.96 | 2.13 | 5 |
| 1970s | 1.81 | 1.73 | 1.91 | 5 |
| 1980s | 1.96 | 1.91 | 2.01 | 5 |
| 1990s | 1.99 | 1.88 | 2.1 | 6 |
| 2000s | 2.17 | 1.97 | 2.41 | 10 |
| 2010s | 2.16 | 1.99 | 2.31 | 8 |
| 2020s | 2.03 | 1.99 | 2.11 | 3 |
Countries ranked near Switzerland
More reference data data for Switzerland
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 0.5507 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 0.2683 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 1.24 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 0.05 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 1.24 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 1.85 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure Management 1.28 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 1.37 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 6.28 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 0.272 (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is palma ratio (before tax) in Switzerland?
- Palma ratio (before tax) in Switzerland was 2.11 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 Switzerland?
- The highest recorded value was 2.81 in 1939.
- What is the lowest palma ratio (before tax) recorded in Switzerland?
- The lowest recorded value was 1.73 in 1979.
- How does Switzerland rank for palma ratio (before tax)?
- Switzerland ranks 106th out of 113 countries with data for 2022.
- Is palma ratio (before tax) rising or falling in Switzerland?
- Over the last ten years it is down 3.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Switzerland 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.
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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.