How RankMyIncome calculates your rank
Follow the data, conversion, interpolation and tier steps shared by every tool.
By RankMyIncome · Updated 22 October 2026
One source snapshot
Each country record contains its local currency, income year, PPP year, conversion factor and ordered percentile thresholds. The world record is the WO-PPP distribution. A dataset version identifies the imported snapshot. This release adds ways to explore it without replacing the data or changing the original calculation rules.
National and world calculations
The national calculation compares local income with local thresholds. The world calculation divides local income by its stored factor and then uses world thresholds. Top percentage is 100 minus percentile. A national percentile cannot simply be renamed a global percentile: the two curves must remain separate.
Interpolation and tails
Between adjacent points, the engine interpolates on logarithmic income values. It retains the original low-income rule, upper-tail extrapolation and percentile cap. Outside-range results carry an uncertainty note. Numerical precision is not evidence of equal statistical certainty across all parts of the curve.
Targets and display tiers
Targets invert the same function instead of fitting another curve. Published tables show imported values; custom targets may require estimation. Iron through Challenger are presentation tiers, not official WID groups. Inspect nearby thresholds, test an inverse target and read the methodology. Source years remain visible; rebuilding a page does not make old observations new.
Sources and calculation notes
Numerical examples use the public dataset shared by all tools. Definitions: WID methodology and codes dictionary. Calculations: RankMyIncome source code. Hypothetical scenarios illustrate arithmetic, not observed market salaries.