Understanding the nature, shape and composition of the income distribution is an important component of our understanding of society and the appropriateness of various policy options. In the context of considerations of policy changes (to taxes, welfare payments or public services) or changes to earnings levels (both high incomes and low incomes) it is useful to ground considerations in an understanding of the incomes experienced in society.
In the latest NERI Research inBrief, published today, I examine the Republic of Ireland’s household income distribution looking at both gross income and disposable income. The analysis is based on the latest data available from the CSO.
On Gross Income:
• 33% of households have a gross income of less than €27,000
• 62% of households have a gross income of less than €50,000
• The top 20% of households have a gross income of more than €80,000 per annum
• 12% of household have a gross income above €100,000 per annum
On Disposable Income:
• 50% of households have a disposable income of less than €35,000 per annum
• The top 10% of households have a disposable income above €77,000 per annum
• The top 3% of households have more than €2,000 per week in disposable income (€104,000 per annum)
The document presents in income distribution in a visually accessible set of diagrams. These are contained within the document.
Collins, Micheál L. (2014) ‘Household Income Distribution in the Republic of Ireland’ NERI Research inBrief no9, February 2014. Available here.
Larger version of the income distribution charts from this publication are available here.