Palma ratio (before tax) in United States
United States: Palma ratio (before tax) was 5.47 in 2024. ▬ Flat
Palma ratio (before tax) in United States, 1913–2024
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 United States is 5.47, measured in 2024.
That represents a change of down 1.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, palma ratio (before tax) in United States peaked at 5.81 in 1934 and was at its lowest, 2.4, in 1974.
That places United States 34th out of 113 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the middle of the range.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1910s | 4.65 | 4.42 | 4.98 | 7 |
| 1920s | 5.09 | 3.87 | 5.58 | 10 |
| 1930s | 5.35 | 4.34 | 5.81 | 10 |
| 1940s | 3.74 | 2.72 | 5.05 | 10 |
| 1950s | 3.11 | 2.96 | 3.33 | 10 |
| 1960s | 2.87 | 2.41 | 3.37 | 10 |
| 1970s | 2.51 | 2.4 | 2.59 | 10 |
| 1980s | 3.12 | 2.56 | 3.66 | 10 |
| 1990s | 4.04 | 3.63 | 4.46 | 10 |
| 2000s | 4.66 | 4.28 | 5.04 | 10 |
| 2010s | 5.44 | 5.06 | 5.68 | 10 |
| 2020s | 5.41 | 5.18 | 5.54 | 5 |
Countries ranked near United States
More reference data data for United States
- Spring temperature anomalies 2.51 °C (2026)
- Summer temperature anomalies 0.5014 °C (2026)
- Temperature anomalies by month 0.0594 °C (2026)
- Universal right to vote in practice 2 (2025)
- Autumn temperature anomalies 0.8696 °C (2025)
- Winter temperature anomalies 0.9189 °C (2025)
- Consumer price index 143.86 2010 = 100 (2024)
- Universal right to vote 2 (2025)
- Competitive elections 1 (2025)
- Men's universal right to vote 1 (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is palma ratio (before tax) in United States?
- Palma ratio (before tax) in United States was 5.47 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 United States?
- The highest recorded value was 5.81 in 1934.
- What is the lowest palma ratio (before tax) recorded in United States?
- The lowest recorded value was 2.4 in 1974.
- How does United States rank for palma ratio (before tax)?
- United States ranks 34th out of 113 countries with data for 2024.
- Is palma ratio (before tax) rising or falling in United States?
- Over the last ten years it is down 1.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this United States 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.