The income quantile share ratio or the S80/S20 ratio is a measure of the inequality of income distribution. It is calculated as the ratio of total income received by the 20 percent of the population with the highest income (the top quantile) to that received by the 20 percent of the population with the lowest income (the bottom quantile).
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Gross and net income ratio of top 20 percent to bottom 20 percent in the EU 2024
The ratio of the top 20 percents' income to that of the bottom ** percent of earners is a common way to measure income inequality. In the European Union, this ratio was ****Ìýbefore taxes and **** after taxes in 2024.Ìý
Many European countries are known for their progressive taxation systems and strong social benefits, meaning that post-taxes and social transfers, their income inequality is much lower than what it is in gross terms. This is particularly the case for countries such as **, which has the second-highest gross income inequality between its highest earners and lowest earners, but has the fourth-highest inequality ratio when taxes and transfers are factored in. The country with the smallest disparity between high and low earners in Europe was ** in 2024, with a gross ratio of 4.78Ìýand a net ratio of ****Ìý
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Eurostat. (July 17, 2025). Ratio of the gross and net income of the top 20 percent of earners compared to the bottom 20 percent of earners in European countries in 2024 [Graph]. In ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Retrieved July 26, 2026, from /statistics/1449283/income-quintile-share-ratio-gross-net-s80-s20/
Eurostat. "Ratio of the gross and net income of the top 20 percent of earners compared to the bottom 20 percent of earners in European countries in 2024." Chart. July 17, 2025. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Accessed July 26, 2026. /statistics/1449283/income-quintile-share-ratio-gross-net-s80-s20/
Eurostat. (2025). Ratio of the gross and net income of the top 20 percent of earners compared to the bottom 20 percent of earners in European countries in 2024. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc.. Accessed: July 26, 2026. /statistics/1449283/income-quintile-share-ratio-gross-net-s80-s20/
Eurostat. "Ratio of The Gross and Net Income of The Top 20 Percent of Earners Compared to The Bottom 20 Percent of Earners in European Countries in 2024." ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc., 17 Jul 2025, /statistics/1449283/income-quintile-share-ratio-gross-net-s80-s20/
Eurostat, Ratio of the gross and net income of the top 20 percent of earners compared to the bottom 20 percent of earners in European countries in 2024 ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, /statistics/1449283/income-quintile-share-ratio-gross-net-s80-s20/ (last visited July 26, 2026)
Ratio of the gross and net income of the top 20 percent of earners compared to the bottom 20 percent of earners in European countries in 2024 [Graph], Eurostat, July 17, 2025. [Online]. Available: /statistics/1449283/income-quintile-share-ratio-gross-net-s80-s20/
