Defining Wealth in Europe: A Cross-National Analysis of Top 10% Income Thresholds and Purchasing Power (EU-27 + EFTA, 2024)

This study, conducted by the accounting software provider <b>BuchhaltungsButler</b> in collaboration with the research experts at <b>DataPulse Research</b>, analyzes income inequality and wealth perception across Europe using <b>Eurostat (EU-SILC, 2024)</b> and <b>OECD</b> data. It estimates the <b>net household income thresholds</b> required to enter the top 10% of earners across 30 European countries (EU-27 + EFTA).All values are adjusted for <b>purchasing power parity (PPP)</b> and standardized for a three-person household, providing a harmonized cross-country comparison.Findings reveal stark contrasts: the entry threshold to the richest decile ranges from €175 000 in Luxembourg to €19 000 in Turkey, narrowing but persisting after PPP adjustment. The study further quantifies how much of each nation’s total income and economic power is concentrated within the top 10%, revealing that in several European countries this group accounts for over one-quarter of all income.This dataset offers a quantitative foundation for comparative research on <b>income distribution, purchasing power, and inequality</b> in Europe.<br><br><b>Original source:</b> What it takes to be rich in Europe<br><b></b><b>Sources: </b>OECD, Eurostat