Costa Rica vs Nicaragua: Income share held by highest 20%
Costa Rica
50.9%
in 2025
Nicaragua
52.1%
in 2014
Costa Rica rank
10th
Nicaragua rank
8th
Income share held by highest 20% over time
- Costa Rica
- Nicaragua
How they compare
Nicaragua currently reports 52.1% against 50.9% in Costa Rica, a difference of 1.2%.
The two have swapped places 1 time across 6 shared years of data; in 1993 it was Nicaragua ahead.
Costa Rica ranks 10th and Nicaragua ranks 8th of 123 countries.
Across the 3 decades both report, Costa Rica averaged higher in 2 and Nicaragua in 1.
Head to head by decade
| Decade | Costa Rica | Nicaragua | Difference | Ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 50.6% | 59.5% | 8.9% | Nicaragua |
| 2000s | 55.0% | 54.1% | 0.8% | Costa Rica |
| 2010s | 53.9% | 52.1% | 1.8% | Costa Rica |
Averages of every year both report within each decade.
Frequently asked questions
- Which has higher income share held by highest 20%, Costa Rica or Nicaragua?
- Nicaragua, at 52.1% against 50.9% in Costa Rica as of 2014.
- What is the difference in income share held by highest 20% between Costa Rica and Nicaragua?
- 1.2%, with Nicaragua ahead.
- How many years of comparable data are there for Costa Rica and Nicaragua?
- 6 years are reported by both, from 1993 to 2014.
- How do Costa Rica and Nicaragua rank globally for income share held by highest 20%?
- Costa Rica ranks 10th and Nicaragua ranks 8th of 123 countries.
- Where does this data come from?
- 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 econ, published as Income share held by highest 20%. Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.
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About this data
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.