Between 2010 and 2022, Colombia's data on the degree of inequality in wealth distribution based on the Gini coefficient reached 51.5. That year, the country was deemed as one of the most unequal countries in Latin America.

The Gini coefficient measures the deviation of the distribution of income (or consumption) among individuals or households in a given country from a perfectly equal distribution. A value of 0 represents absolute equality, whereas 100 would be the highest possible degree of inequality.

Graph and download economic data for GINI Index for Colombia (SIPOVGINICOL) from 1980 to 2023 about Colombia, gini, and indexes.

CO: Gini Coefficient (GINI Index): World Bank Estimate data was reported at 54.800 % in 2022. This records a decrease from the previous number of 55.100 % for 2021. CO: Gini Coefficient (GINI Index): World Bank Estimate data is updated yearly, averaging 53.600 % from Dec 1980 (Median) to 2022, with 28 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 59.100 % in 1980 and a record low of 49.700 % in 2017. CO: Gini Coefficient (GINI Index): World Bank Estimate data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Colombia – Table CO.World Bank.WDI: Social: Poverty and Inequality. Gini index measures the extent to which the distribution of income (or, in some cases, consumption expenditure) among individuals or households within an economy deviates from a perfectly equal distribution. A Lorenz curve plots the cumulative percentages of total income received against the cumulative number of recipients, starting with the poorest individual or household. The Gini index measures the area between the Lorenz curve and a hypothetical line of absolute equality, expressed as a percentage of the maximum area under the line. Thus a Gini index of 0 represents perfect equality, while an index of 100 implies perfect inequality.;World Bank, Poverty and Inequality Platform. Data are based on primary household survey data obtained from government statistical agencies and World Bank country departments. Data for high-income economies are mostly from the Luxembourg Income Study database. For more information and methodology, please see http://pip.worldbank.org.;;The World Bank’s internationally comparable poverty monitoring database now draws on income or detailed consumption data from more than 2000 household surveys across 169 countries. See the Poverty and Inequality Platform (PIP) for details (www.pip.worldbank.org).

As an indicator for the analysis for income inequality. In 2020, the Gini Index recorded in the Colombian capital reached its highest level of inequality since at least 2012 with a **** coefficient, being * perfect equality. This comes as no surprise, because Colombia ranked as the second most unequal country in Latin America.

Gini Coefficient data was reported at 0.548 NA in 2022. This records a decrease from the previous number of 0.551 NA for 2021. Gini Coefficient data is updated yearly, averaging 0.537 NA from Dec 1992 (Median) to 2022, with 24 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 0.585 NA in 1999 and a record low of 0.497 NA in 2017. Gini Coefficient data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Our World in Data. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Colombia – Table CO.OWID.ESG: Social: Gini Coefficient: Annual.

In 2023, the gini coefficient for urban areas in Colombia was approximately 0.54 points. Between 2002 and 2023, the figure dropped by around 0.01 points, though the decline followed an uneven course rather than a steady trajectory.

CO: Income Share Held by Second 20% data was reported at 7.100 % in 2022. This records an increase from the previous number of 7.000 % for 2021. CO: Income Share Held by Second 20% data is updated yearly, averaging 7.300 % from Dec 1980 (Median) to 2022, with 28 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 8.300 % in 2017 and a record low of 6.500 % in 1999. CO: Income Share Held by Second 20% data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Colombia – Table CO.World Bank.WDI: Social: Poverty and Inequality. Percentage share of income or consumption is the share that accrues to subgroups of population indicated by deciles or quintiles. Percentage shares by quintile may not sum to 100 because of rounding.;World Bank, Poverty and Inequality Platform. Data are based on primary household survey data obtained from government statistical agencies and World Bank country departments. Data for high-income economies are mostly from the Luxembourg Income Study database. For more information and methodology, please see http://pip.worldbank.org.;;The World Bank’s internationally comparable poverty monitoring database now draws on income or detailed consumption data from more than 2000 household surveys across 169 countries. See the Poverty and Inequality Platform (PIP) for details (www.pip.worldbank.org).

In 2023, the gini coefficient for rural areas in Colombia stood at approximately 0.48 points. Between 2002 and 2023, the figure dropped by around 0.04 points, though the decline followed an uneven course rather than a steady trajectory.

Based on the degree of inequality in income distribution measured by the Gini coefficient, Colombia was the most unequal country in Latin America as of 2022. Colombia's Gini coefficient amounted to 54.8. The Dominican Republic recorded the lowest Gini coefficient at 37, even below Uruguay and Chile, which are some of the countries with the highest human development indexes in Latin America. The Gini coefficient explained The Gini coefficient measures the deviation of the distribution of income among individuals or households in a given country from a perfectly equal distribution. A value of 0 represents absolute equality, whereas 100 would be the highest possible degree of inequality. This measurement reflects the degree of wealth inequality at a certain moment in time, though it may fail to capture how average levels of income improve or worsen over time. What affects the Gini coefficient in Latin America? Latin America, as other developing regions in the world, generally records high rates of inequality, with a Gini coefficient ranging between 37 and 55 points according to the latest available data from the reporting period 2010-2023. According to the Human Development Report, wealth redistribution by means of tax transfers improves Latin America's Gini coefficient to a lesser degree than it does in advanced economies. Wider access to education and health services, on the other hand, have been proven to have a greater direct effect in improving Gini coefficient measurements in the region.

CO: Proportion of Population Spending More Than 10% of Household Consumption or Income on Out-of-Pocket Health Care Expenditure: % data was reported at 8.190 % in 2016. This records a decrease from the previous number of 20.010 % for 2008. CO: Proportion of Population Spending More Than 10% of Household Consumption or Income on Out-of-Pocket Health Care Expenditure: % data is updated yearly, averaging 20.010 % from Dec 1997 (Median) to 2016, with 3 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 21.310 % in 1997 and a record low of 8.190 % in 2016. CO: Proportion of Population Spending More Than 10% of Household Consumption or Income on Out-of-Pocket Health Care Expenditure: % data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Colombia – Table CO.World Bank.WDI: Social: Poverty and Inequality. Proportion of population spending more than 10% of household consumption or income on out-of-pocket health care expenditure. Out-of-pocket health expenditure is defined as any spending incurred by a household when any member uses a health good or service to receive any type of care (preventive, curative, rehabilitative, long-term or palliative care); provided by any type of provider; for any type of disease, illness or health condition; in any type of setting (outpatient, inpatient, at home).;Global Health Observatory. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2023. (https://www.who.int/data/gho/data/themes/topics/financial-protection);Weighted average;This is the Sustainable Development Goal indicator 3.8.2[https://unstats.un.org/sdgs/metadata/].

The average for 2021 based on 12 countries was 44.83 index points. The highest value was in Colombia: 55.1 index points and the lowest value was in Dominican Republic: 38.5 index points. The indicator is available from 1963 to 2023. Below is a chart for all countries where data are available.

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aim to eradicate poverty and promote sustainable development; however, socioeconomic disparities persist globally, particularly in Colombia. With a Gini index of 0.556 in 2022, Colombia ranks among the most unequal countries in Latin America, with its southwest region of Nariño facing severe socioeconomic challenges. Concurrently, Nariño registers the highest levels of coca cultivation in Colombia, accounting for 65% of national cocaine production, reflecting the region’s precarious conditions. This study investigates the extent to which the spatial distribution of socioeconomic factors explains coca cultivation patterns in Nariño. Grounded in conflict economics, social capital, and social marginalization theories, the research constructs composite indices representing education, health, public services, economic conditions, and vulnerability. Using spatial analysis, it identifies areas with heightened poverty and vulnerability and examines their relationship with illicit crops. The findings highlight spatial non-stationarity in the factors influencing coca cultivation, offering region-specific insights and policy recommendations to combat illicit crops and foster sustainable development. These results provide a foundation for targeted interventions and contribute to broader strategies addressing inequality and illegal economies in Colombia.

This dataset presents demographic information of 16,012 students admitted to various regional campuses of the Universidad Nacional de Colombia. The data are compared against departmental population statistics from the Colombian National Administrative Department of Statistics (DANE).

The dataset enables comparative analysis of higher education access gaps by employing Gini index calculations to quantify inequality and examine the impact of students’ school background, age, and socioeconomic status. The objective is to identify disparities in access among citizens aged 20–39 compared to the population admitted to higher education programs.

Según el grado de desigualdad económica, medido por el coeficiente de Gini, Brasil es el país más desigual de América Latina. En contraste, República Dominicana muestra el menor nivel de desigualdad, con un coeficiente de Gini de ****. Así, esta última nación se posiciona incluso por debajo de países como Uruguay y Chile, que tienen los índices de desarrollo humano más altos en la región latinoamericana.

Description of the variables considered to construct the indices.

Global descriptive statistics of variables and constructed indices.

基尼系数在12-01-2022达0.548NA，相较于12-01-2021的0.551NA有所下降。基尼系数数据按年更新，12-01-1992至12-01-2022期间平均值为0.537NA，共24份观测结果。该数据的历史最高值出现于12-01-1999，达0.585NA，而历史最低值则出现于12-01-2017，为0.497NA。CEIC提供的基尼系数数据处于定期更新的状态，数据来源于Our World in Data，数据归类于全球数据库的哥伦比亚 – Table CO.OWID.ESG: Social: Gini Coefficient: Annual。

基尼系数（GINI系数）：世界银行估计在12-01-2022达54.800%，相较于12-01-2021的55.100%有所下降。基尼系数（GINI系数）：世界银行估计数据按年更新，12-01-1980至12-01-2022期间平均值为53.600%，共28份观测结果。该数据的历史最高值出现于12-01-1980，达59.100%，而历史最低值则出现于12-01-2017，为49.700%。CEIC提供的基尼系数（GINI系数）：世界银行估计数据处于定期更新的状态，数据来源于World Bank，数据归类于全球数据库的哥伦比亚 – Table CO.World Bank.WDI: Social: Poverty and Inequality。

In 2024, two of the three richest people in Latin America were Mexicans. The leader of the rank was the Mexican business magnate Carlos Slim, the 14th richest person in the world. Slim had a fortune of 102 billion U.S. dollars, derived from his multiple businesses and investments. At third place was a fellow Mexican businessman, German Larrea, with a fortune of nearly 27.3 billion dollars.

Billionaires' wealth distribution Within each country's economy, there exists a relatively small segment of wealthier individuals who contribute significantly to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of their respective countries. In Latin America, Chile stands out for its high concentration of wealth among billionaires, accounting for approximately 16 percent of the GDP. Mexico also exhibits a notable wealth concentration, with billionaires contributing around 12 percent of the country's GDP. Regarding the financial magnitude of these billionaires in Latin America, Mexico leads with an average individual wealth of approximately nine billion dollars, compared to an average wealth per adult of 43,140.
Income inequality In most countries within the region, the GINI Index, which measures income inequality among the population, falls within the range of 40 to 50. Notably, Colombia has the highest level of income inequality in Latin America, at 54.2. As a result of this income inequality, only around 2.8 percent of the population in the region is classified as having a high economic status, while the largest portion of the population consists of non-poor individuals with low incomes, and approximately 281 million people in the region live below the poverty line.