Prosperity gap (average shortfall from a prosperity standard) in United States
United States: Prosperity gap (average shortfall from a prosperity standard) was 1.3 average shortfall from a prosperity standard of $28/day in 2024. ▼ Falling
Latest (2024)
1.3 average shortfall from a prosperity standard of $28/day
Change on year
down 7.1%
World rank
89th
of 123 countries
All-time high
2 average shortfall from a prosperity standard of $28/day
in 1964
All-time low
0.8 average shortfall from a prosperity standard of $28/day
in 2020
Years of data
62
1963–2024
Prosperity gap in United States, 1963–2024
Source: 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. Measured in average shortfall from a prosperity standard of $28/day.
Analysis
In 2024, prosperity gap in United States stood at 1.3 average shortfall from a prosperity standard of $28/day.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 7.1% on the previous year and down 18.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, prosperity gap in United States peaked at 2 average shortfall from a prosperity standard of $28/day in 1964 and was at its lowest, 0.8 average shortfall from a prosperity standard of $28/day, in 2020.
That places United States 89th out of 123 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 62 years of available data.
Prosperity gap (average shortfall from a prosperity standard) in United States, year by year
| Year | average shortfall from a prosperity standard of $28/day | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1963 | 1.9 average shortfall from a prosperity standard of $28/day | — |
| 1964 | 2 average shortfall from a prosperity standard of $28/day | +5.3% |
| 1965 | 1.7 average shortfall from a prosperity standard of $28/day | -15.0% |
| 1966 | 1.6 average shortfall from a prosperity standard of $28/day | -5.9% |
| 1967 | 1.6 average shortfall from a prosperity standard of $28/day | +0.0% |
| 1968 | 1.5 average shortfall from a prosperity standard of $28/day | -6.3% |
| 1969 | 1.3 average shortfall from a prosperity standard of $28/day | -13.3% |
| 1970 | 1.6 average shortfall from a prosperity standard of $28/day | +23.1% |
| 1971 | 1.4 average shortfall from a prosperity standard of $28/day | -12.5% |
| 1972 | 1.4 average shortfall from a prosperity standard of $28/day | +0.0% |
| 1973 | 1.4 average shortfall from a prosperity standard of $28/day | +0.0% |
| 1974 | 1.3 average shortfall from a prosperity standard of $28/day | -7.1% |
| 1975 | 1.2 average shortfall from a prosperity standard of $28/day | -7.7% |
| 1976 | 1.2 average shortfall from a prosperity standard of $28/day | +0.0% |
| 1977 | 1.1 average shortfall from a prosperity standard of $28/day | -8.3% |
| 1978 | 1.1 average shortfall from a prosperity standard of $28/day | +0.0% |
| 1979 | 1.2 average shortfall from a prosperity standard of $28/day | +9.1% |
| 1980 | 1.1 average shortfall from a prosperity standard of $28/day | -8.3% |
| 1981 | 1.2 average shortfall from a prosperity standard of $28/day | +9.1% |
| 1982 | 1.3 average shortfall from a prosperity standard of $28/day | +8.3% |
| 1983 | 1.2 average shortfall from a prosperity standard of $28/day | -7.7% |
| 1984 | 1.1 average shortfall from a prosperity standard of $28/day | -8.3% |
| 1985 | 1.1 average shortfall from a prosperity standard of $28/day | +0.0% |
| 1986 | 1.1 average shortfall from a prosperity standard of $28/day | +0.0% |
| 1987 | 1 average shortfall from a prosperity standard of $28/day | -9.1% |
| 1988 | 1 average shortfall from a prosperity standard of $28/day | +0.0% |
| 1989 | 1 average shortfall from a prosperity standard of $28/day | +0.0% |
| 1990 | 1 average shortfall from a prosperity standard of $28/day | +0.0% |
| 1991 | 1 average shortfall from a prosperity standard of $28/day | +0.0% |
| 1992 | 1.1 average shortfall from a prosperity standard of $28/day | +10.0% |
| 1993 | 1.1 average shortfall from a prosperity standard of $28/day | +0.0% |
| 1994 | 1.1 average shortfall from a prosperity standard of $28/day | +0.0% |
| 1995 | 1.1 average shortfall from a prosperity standard of $28/day | +0.0% |
| 1996 | 1.2 average shortfall from a prosperity standard of $28/day | +9.1% |
| 1997 | 1.2 average shortfall from a prosperity standard of $28/day | +0.0% |
| 1998 | 1.2 average shortfall from a prosperity standard of $28/day | +0.0% |
| 1999 | 1.1 average shortfall from a prosperity standard of $28/day | -8.3% |
| 2000 | 1.2 average shortfall from a prosperity standard of $28/day | +9.1% |
| 2001 | 1.3 average shortfall from a prosperity standard of $28/day | +8.3% |
| 2002 | 1.2 average shortfall from a prosperity standard of $28/day | -7.7% |
| 2003 | 1.4 average shortfall from a prosperity standard of $28/day | +16.7% |
| 2004 | 1.4 average shortfall from a prosperity standard of $28/day | +0.0% |
| 2005 | 1.4 average shortfall from a prosperity standard of $28/day | +0.0% |
| 2006 | 1.4 average shortfall from a prosperity standard of $28/day | +0.0% |
| 2007 | 1.4 average shortfall from a prosperity standard of $28/day | +0.0% |
| 2008 | 1.5 average shortfall from a prosperity standard of $28/day | +7.1% |
| 2009 | 1.3 average shortfall from a prosperity standard of $28/day | -13.3% |
| 2010 | 1.5 average shortfall from a prosperity standard of $28/day | +15.4% |
| 2011 | 1.4 average shortfall from a prosperity standard of $28/day | -6.7% |
| 2012 | 1.4 average shortfall from a prosperity standard of $28/day | +0.0% |
| 2013 | 1.4 average shortfall from a prosperity standard of $28/day | +0.0% |
| 2014 | 1.6 average shortfall from a prosperity standard of $28/day | +14.3% |
| 2015 | 1.5 average shortfall from a prosperity standard of $28/day | -6.3% |
| 2016 | 1.4 average shortfall from a prosperity standard of $28/day | -6.7% |
| 2017 | 1.5 average shortfall from a prosperity standard of $28/day | +7.1% |
| 2018 | 1.4 average shortfall from a prosperity standard of $28/day | -6.7% |
| 2019 | 1.3 average shortfall from a prosperity standard of $28/day | -7.1% |
| 2020 | 0.8 average shortfall from a prosperity standard of $28/day | -38.5% |
| 2021 | 0.8 average shortfall from a prosperity standard of $28/day | +0.0% |
| 2022 | 1.6 average shortfall from a prosperity standard of $28/day | +100.0% |
| 2023 | 1.4 average shortfall from a prosperity standard of $28/day | -12.5% |
| 2024 | 1.3 average shortfall from a prosperity standard of $28/day | -7.1% |
United States compared with similar countries
- United States's 1.3 average shortfall from a prosperity standard of $28/day is above the median for high income countries, which is 1.05 average shortfall from a prosperity standard of $28/day, 1.2× the median. (42 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Prosperity gap (average shortfall from a prosperity standard) in United States changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | +100.0% | 0.8 average shortfall from a prosperity standard of $28/day | 1.6 average shortfall from a prosperity standard of $28/day |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 1.66 average shortfall from a prosperity standard of $28/day | 1.3 average shortfall from a prosperity standard of $28/day | 2 average shortfall from a prosperity standard of $28/day | 7 |
| 1970s | 1.29 average shortfall from a prosperity standard of $28/day | 1.1 average shortfall from a prosperity standard of $28/day | 1.6 average shortfall from a prosperity standard of $28/day | 10 |
| 1980s | 1.11 average shortfall from a prosperity standard of $28/day | 1 average shortfall from a prosperity standard of $28/day | 1.3 average shortfall from a prosperity standard of $28/day | 10 |
| 1990s | 1.11 average shortfall from a prosperity standard of $28/day | 1 average shortfall from a prosperity standard of $28/day | 1.2 average shortfall from a prosperity standard of $28/day | 10 |
| 2000s | 1.35 average shortfall from a prosperity standard of $28/day | 1.2 average shortfall from a prosperity standard of $28/day | 1.5 average shortfall from a prosperity standard of $28/day | 10 |
| 2010s | 1.44 average shortfall from a prosperity standard of $28/day | 1.3 average shortfall from a prosperity standard of $28/day | 1.6 average shortfall from a prosperity standard of $28/day | 10 |
| 2020s | 1.18 average shortfall from a prosperity standard of $28/day | 0.8 average shortfall from a prosperity standard of $28/day | 1.6 average shortfall from a prosperity standard of $28/day | 5 |
Countries ranked near United States
- 86 Bulgaria 1.4 average shortfall from a prosperity standard of $28/day compare
- 86 Italy 1.4 average shortfall from a prosperity standard of $28/day compare
- 86 Uruguay 1.4 average shortfall from a prosperity standard of $28/day compare
- 89 Greece 1.3 average shortfall from a prosperity standard of $28/day compare
- 89 Latvia 1.3 average shortfall from a prosperity standard of $28/day compare
- 89 Romania 1.3 average shortfall from a prosperity standard of $28/day compare
- 89 Spain 1.3 average shortfall from a prosperity standard of $28/day compare
- 89 Turkey 1.3 average shortfall from a prosperity standard of $28/day compare
More poverty & inequality data for United States
- Number of income/consumption surveys in the past decade available via the World Bank 9 surveys (2025)
- Number of income/consumption surveys in the past decade available via 0 surveys per person (2025)
- Number of income/consumption surveys in the past decade available via 0 surveys per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Fertility rate vs. share living in extreme poverty 1.62 live births per woman (2023)
- Cereal yield vs. share in extreme poverty 8,414 kg per hectare (2024)
- Cereal yield vs extreme poverty, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Cereal yield vs extreme poverty, annual growth rate 1 % change on previous year (2024)
- Tax revenues vs income inequality, gaps filled 24.85 (2023)
- Tax revenue as share of GDP vs. income inequality 24.8% (2023)
- Tax revenues vs income inequality, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is prosperity gap in United States?
- Prosperity gap in United States was 1.3 average shortfall from a prosperity standard of $28/day in 2024, according to 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.
- What is the highest prosperity gap recorded in United States?
- The highest recorded value was 2 average shortfall from a prosperity standard of $28/day in 1964.
- What is the lowest prosperity gap recorded in United States?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.8 average shortfall from a prosperity standard of $28/day in 2020.
- How does United States rank for prosperity gap?
- United States ranks 89th out of 123 countries with data for 2024.
- Is prosperity gap rising or falling in United States?
- Over the last ten years it is down 18.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this United States data come from?
- The figures 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 part of Prosperity gap (average shortfall from a prosperity standard of $28/day). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
The average shortfall from a prosperity standard of $28 per day (adjusted for differences in purchasing power parity across countries). It is measured as the average factor by which incomes fall short of $28.