The Global Population by Income Group 🌍

What We're Showing

This graphic shows countries by gross national income (GNI) per capita, based on data from the World Bank.

Methodology

For country income classifications, the World Bank used GNI per capita, which includes all income earned by a country's residents and businesses, both domestically and abroad.

In 2025, income groups are as follows:

• Low income: $1,145 or less
• Lower middle income: $1,146 to $4,515
• Upper middle income: $4,516 to $14,005
• High income: $14,005 or more

Key Takeaways

• Globally, the share of low income countries has declined significantly, dropping from 30.7% in 2000 to just 11.9% today.
• China transitioned out of low income status in 1999 and, by 2010, had achieved upper-middle-income status, a position it holds today.
• Similarly, India, which was classified as a low-income country two decades ago, has experienced rapid growth driven by infrastructure investments, economic reforms, and the expansion of its services sector.