---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The top 10 per cent of the US population…"
description: "\"The top 10 per cent of the US population appropriated 91 per cent of income growth between 1989 and 2006, while the top 1 per cent took 59 per cent.\" —..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0db/ha-joon-chang-3497_cents_the-top-10-per-cent-of-the-us-population_2958388.png"
---

#  The top 10 per cent of the US population appropriated 91…

![“The top 10 per cent of the US population appropriated 91 per cent of income growth between 1989 and 2006, while the top 1 per cent took 59 per cent.” quote by Ha-Joon Chang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0db/ha-joon-chang-3497_cents_the-top-10-per-cent-of-the-us-population_2958388.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0db/ha-joon-chang-3497_cents_the-top-10-per-cent-of-the-us-population_2958388.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0db/ha-joon-chang-3497_cents_the-top-10-per-cent-of-the-us-population_2958388.png)

> “The top 10 per cent of the US population appropriated 91 per cent of income growth between 1989 and 2006, while the top 1 per cent took 59 per cent.”

[Ha-Joon Chang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ha-joon-chang/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

A small elite captured most income growth, while an even smaller group claimed a large share of that growth.

**In simple terms:** Wealth is concentrated among a tiny fraction of people.

Key Takeaway

Recognize economic inequality.

Themes

economics inequality wealth distribution

Mood

critical concerned

Type

analytical inquisitive

When to use this quote

- policy debates
- academic research
- public discourse
- activism
- financial planning

Key Concepts

capitalism policy income disparity

Questions to Reflect On

- What policies could reduce wealth gaps?
- How reliable are these statistics?

A Different Perspective

Data may oversimplify complex economic forces.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[2006 Cent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/2006-cent-4493785/) [Appropriated 91](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/appropriated-91-4493783/) [Cents](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cents/) [Growth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/growth/) [Growth 1989](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/growth-1989-4493782/) [Income](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/income/) [Income Growth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/income-growth-1616836/) [Inequality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inequality/) [Population](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/population/) [Population Appropriated](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/population-appropriated-4493784/) [Top 10](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/top-10/)

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