Average UK household incomes taxes and benefits by household type, tenure status, household characteristics and long-term trends in income inequality.

Main tables from the Effects of taxes and benefits on household income publication from 1977, including average incomes, taxes and benefits and household characteristics of all, retired and non-retired households in the UK by quintile and decile groups.

This analysis, produced by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), examines how taxes and benefits redistribute income between various groups of households in the United Kingdom. It shows where different types of households and individuals are in the income distribution and looks at the changing levels of income inequality over time. The main sources of data for this study are:

• Family Expenditure Survey (FES) from 1977-2001
• Expenditure and Food Survey (EFS) from 2001-2007
• Living Costs and Food Survey (LCF) from 2008 to 2017
• Household Finances Survey (HFS) from 2018 onwards
  

Some variables have been created by combining data from the LCF (previously FES or EFS) with control totals from a variety of different government sources, including:

• United Kingdom National Accounts (ONS Blue Book)
• HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC)
• Department for Transport (DfT)
• Department of Health (DH)
• Department for Education and Employment (DfEE)
• Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG)

For further information, see the ONS Effects of taxes and benefits on household income webpage.

Users should note that the combined ETB household (1977-2021) and person (2018-2021) datasets replace all previous individual year files, which have been withdrawn from use at the depositor's request.

Latest edition information

For the fourth edition (December 2025), replacement data and documentation for 2022 and 2023, and new data/documentation for 2024 were added to the study.

Method of Data Collection

The ETB has been produced each year since 1961 and is an annual analysis looking at how taxes and benefits affect the income of households in the UK.

Since 2018, the estimates in this analysis are based on data derived from the HFS Survey (the HCF is not currently held by the UK Data Service). The HFS is an annual survey of the expenditure and income of private households. People living in hotels, lodging houses, and in institutions such as old people's homes are excluded. Each person aged 16 and over keeps a full record of payments made during 14 consecutive days and answers questions about hire purchase and other payments; children aged 7 to 15 keep a simplified diary. The respondents also give detailed information, where appropriate, about income (including cash benefits received from the state) and payments of Income Tax. Information on age, occupation, education received, family composition and housing tenure is also obtained. The survey is continuous, interviews being spread evenly over the year to ensure that seasonal effects are covered. The Family Spending publication also includes an outline of the survey design.

The HFS data used in this analysis are grossed so that totals reflect the total population of private households in the UK. The weights are produced in two stages. First, the data are weighted to compensate for non-response (sample-based weighting). The non-response weights are then calibrated so that weighted totals match population totals for males and females in different age groups and for different regions and countries (population-based weighting). The results in the analysis are weighted so that statistics represent the total population in private households in the UK based on 2011 Census data. In 2013/14, an additional calibration to the Labour Force Survey (LFS) employment totals was also applied.

There are a number of different measures of income used, the most common of which is probably household disposable income. This is the total income households receive from employment (including self-employment), income from private pensions, investments and other sources, plus cash benefits (including the state pension), minus direct taxes (including income tax, NI and council tax). Income is normally analysed at the household level as this provides a better measure of people's economic well-being; while income is usually received by individuals, it is normally shared with other household members (e.g. spouse/partner and children).

In 2018/19 a further adjustment was applied to the data to adjust for the under coverage and under-reporting of income of the richest individuals. This method is often referred to as the 'SPI adjustment' owing to its use of HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC's) Survey of Personal Incomes (SPI). For further details please see the ETB https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/personalandhouseholdfinances/incomeandwealth/methodologies/theeffectsoftaxesandbenefitsonukhouseholdincome">Quality and Methodology Information webpage and the https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/personalandhouseholdfinances/incomeandwealth/articles/theeffectsoftaxesandbenefitsonhouseholdincome/financialyearending2019">Effects of Taxes and Benefits on Household Income Technical Report.

Data Sources

The Household Finances Survey (HFS) is the source of the microdata on households from 2018 onwards. Previously, the Living Costs and Food Survey (LCF) was the data source. Derived variables are created using information from HFS and control totals from a variety of different government sources including the United Kingdom National Accounts (ONS Blue Book), HM Revenue and Customs, Department for Transport, Department of Health, Department for Education and Employment, and Department for Communities and Local Government.

Secure Access version

A Secure Access version of the ETB is available from the UK Data Archive under SN 8253, subject to stringent access conditions. The Secure Access version includes variables that are not included in the standard End User Licence (EUL) version, including case number, age and economic position of chief economic supporter, and government office region. Users are strongly advised to check whether the EUL version is sufficient for their needs before considering an application for the Secure Access version.

The small area model-based income estimates are the official estimates of average (mean) household income at the middle layer super output area (MSOA) level in England and Wales for 2011/12, 2013/14 and 2015/16.

For 2015-16 the figures are average annual income. For 2013/14 and 2011/12 the figures are average weekly income.

They are calculated using a model based method to produce the following four estimates of income using a combination of survey data from the Family Resources Survey, and previously published data from the 2011 Census and a number of administrative data sources. The four different measures of income are:

1. Total household income
2. Net household income
3. Net household income (equivalised) before housing costs
4. Net household income (equivalised) after housing costs

Total annual household income is the sum of the gross income of every member of the household plus any income from benefits such as Working Families Tax Credit.

Net annual household income is the sum of the net income of every member of the household. It is calculated using the same components as total income but income is net of:

• income tax payments;
• national insurance contributions;
• domestic rates/council tax;
• contributions to occupational pension schemes;
• all maintenance and child support payments, which are deducted from the income of the person making the payments; and
• parental contribution to students living away from home.

Net annual household income before housing costs (equivalised) is composed of the same elements as net household weekly income but is subject to the OECD’s equivalisation scale.

Net annual household income after housing costs (equivalised) is composed of the same elements of net household weekly income but is subject to the following deductions prior to the OECD’s equivalisation scale being applied:

• rent (gross of housing benefit);
• water rates, community water charges and council water charges;
• mortgage interest payments (net of any tax relief);
• structural insurance premiums (for owner occupiers); and
• ground rent and service charges.

For detailed information on aspects of the quality and methodology behind these statistics, "https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peopleinwork/earningsandworkinghours/methodologies/smallareaincomeestimatesmodelbasedestimatesofthemeanhouseholdweeklyincomeformiddlelayersuperoutputareas201314technicalreport " target="_blank">see the Technical Report.

This dataset is included in the Greater London Authority's Night Time Observatory. Click here to find out more.

This statistic displays the projected changes of federal tax and health benefits after a possible implementation of "Trumpcare" (American Health Care Act - AHCA) per household in 2022, by annual income. It is estimated that low-income households would lose most under Trump's plan. A family with a household income of under 10 thousand U.S. dollars annually, for example, would lose 1,420 dollars, compared to the current situation.

Norway Average Household Income: IT: TR: TT: Unemployment Benefits data was reported at 6,100.000 NOK in 2016. This records an increase from the previous number of 5,500.000 NOK for 2015. Norway Average Household Income: IT: TR: TT: Unemployment Benefits data is updated yearly, averaging 4,400.000 NOK from Dec 2005 (Median) to 2016, with 12 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 6,100.000 NOK in 2016 and a record low of 1,900.000 NOK in 2008. Norway Average Household Income: IT: TR: TT: Unemployment Benefits data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Statistics Norway. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Norway – Table NO.H014: Average Household Income.

Ukraine Households Income: SB: Social Benefits data was reported at 393,300.000 UAH mn in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 337,773.000 UAH mn for 2016. Ukraine Households Income: SB: Social Benefits data is updated yearly, averaging 204,101.000 UAH mn from Dec 2001 (Median) to 2017, with 17 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 393,300.000 UAH mn in 2017 and a record low of 23,978.000 UAH mn in 2001. Ukraine Households Income: SB: Social Benefits data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by State Statistics Service of Ukraine. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Ukraine – Table UA.H009: Household Income and Expenditure: Annual.

Income statistics by economic family type and income source, annual.

In 2019, the average disposable income in France reached over ****** euros. According to the source, the average annual disposable income in France picked in 2011, at ****** euros. In 2020, the total gross disposable income of French households reached about ***** billion euros, compared to ******* billion euros in 2011. French households’ disposable income The disposable income of a household includes income from work (net of social contributions), income from wealth, transfers from other households and social benefits (including pensions and unemployment benefits), net of direct taxes. Thus, the average annual household disposable income in France has been oscillating between ****** and ****** euros. From 2016 to 2020, the change in the gross disposable income of French households has always been positive. France was one of the European countries with the highest household disposable income in 2019. Households spending in France In 2021, the household consumption spending as a share of GDP in France reached ***** percent. French households spent over *** billion euros for food in 2016. Two years later, in 2018, in a survey conducted by BVA, most of responding French declared that they spent between ** and *** euros on food per week. Regarding other expense areas, recreational and cultural services households’ expenditure represented more than ** billion euros. However, a lot of middle-income households in France stated having difficulties to make ends meet in 2017.

This map shows median household income in the US by state, county, and tract for 2023. ArcGIS Online account required for use.The pop-up is configured to show median household income in 2023 with the forecasted rate of change to 2028, and disposable income by income range. Median Household Income is the amount that divides household income (annual income for all household earners age 15+) into two equal groups in a geographic area; half of the population will have income higher than the median and half will have lower income. If the median falls in the upper income interval of $200,000+, it is represented by the value of $200,001. Esri uses the U.S. Census definition of income. For each person 15 years of age or older, money income received in the preceding calendar year is summed from earnings, unemployment compensation, Social Security, Supplemental Security Income, public assistance, veterans' payments, survivor benefits, disability benefits, pension or retirement income, interest, dividends, rent, royalties, estates and trusts, educational assistance, alimony, child support, financial assistance from outside the household, and other income; reference Esri Essential Vocabulary.Esri Updated Demographics represent the suite of annually updated U.S. demographic data that provides current-year and five-year forecasts for more than two thousand demographic and socioeconomic characteristics, a subset of which is included in this layer. Included are a host of tables covering key characteristics of the population, households, housing, age, race, income, and much more. Esri's Updated Demographics data consists of point estimates, representing July 1 of the current and forecast years.Esri Updated Demographics DocumentationMethodologyUnderstanding Esri’s Updated Demographics portfolioEssential Esri Demographics vocabularyThis ready-to-use layer can be used within ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Online, its configurable apps, dashboards, Story Maps, custom apps, and mobile apps. This layer requires an ArcGIS Online subscription and does not consume credits. Please cite Esri when using this data. For information about purchasing additional Esri's Updated Demographics data, contact datasales@esri.com. Feedback: we would like to hear from you while this layer is in beta release. If you have any feedback regarding this item or Esri Demographics, please use this survey.

🇬🇧 United Kingdom English The small area model-based income estimates are the official estimates of average (mean) household income at the middle layer super output area (MSOA) level in England and Wales for 2011/12, 2013/14 and 2015/16. For 2015-16 the figures are average annual income. For 2013/14 and 2011/12 the figures are average weekly income. They are calculated using a model based method to produce the following four estimates of income using a combination of survey data from the Family Resources Survey, and previously published data from the 2011 Census and a number of administrative data sources. The four different measures of income are: Total household income Net household income Net household income (equivalised) before housing costs Net household income (equivalised) after housing costs Total annual household income is the sum of the gross income of every member of the household plus any income from benefits such as Working Families Tax Credit. Net annual household income is the sum of the net income of every member of the household. It is calculated using the same components as total income but income is net of: income tax payments; national insurance contributions; domestic rates/council tax; contributions to occupational pension schemes; all maintenance and child support payments, which are deducted from the income of the person making the payments; and

Income quintiles are assigned based on equivalized household disposable income, which takes into account differences in household size and composition using a method proposed by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). The OECD-modified" equivalence scale assigns a value of 1 to the first adult Age groups refer to the age group of the major income earner. This refers to the main source of income for the household, that is, wages and salaries, self-employment income, net property income, current transfers received related to pension benefits, or other current transfers received from non-pension related sources.
Self-employment income refers to mixed income related to non-farm and farm businesses. Household rental income is not included. Revenues from Current transfers received - pension benefits relate to current transfers received from corporations for employer's pension plans and current transfers received from government for the Canada and Québec pension plans (CPP/QPP) and the Old Age Security program including the Guaranteed Income Supplement (OAS/GIS). Revenues from Current transfers received - others, relate to all other current transfers received not included in Current transfers received - pensions benefits, that is, it includes current transfers from the government sector except for the Canada and Québec pension plans (CPP/QPP) and from the Old Age Security Program (OAS) and the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS). It also includes current transfers from Non-profit institutions serving households (NPISH) and from the non-residents sector. Owner/Renter refers to the housing tenure of a household. Households that have subsidized rents (partially or fully) are included under Renter. Distributions by generation are defined as follows and are based on the birth year of the major income earner : pre-1946 for those born before 1946, baby boom for those born between 1946 and 1964, generation X for those born between 1965 and 1980 and millennials for those born after 1980. Note that generation Z has been combined with the millennial generation as their sample size is relatively small. Distribution of value" is the share of a component of income Value per consumption unit reflects the Statistics value" divided by the number of consumption units

This dataset and map service provides information on the U.S. Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) low to moderate income areas. The term Low to Moderate Income, often referred to as low-mod, has a specific programmatic context within the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. Over a 1, 2, or 3-year period, as selected by the grantee, not less than 70 percent of CDBG funds must be used for activities that benefit low- and moderate-income persons. HUD uses special tabulations of Census data to determine areas where at least 51% of households have incomes at or below 80% of the area median income (AMI). This dataset and map service contains the following layer.

Income of individuals by age group, sex and income source, Canada, provinces and selected census metropolitan areas, annual.

Norway Average Household Income: IT: TR: TF: Other Tax Free Transfers data was reported at 2,500.000 NOK in 2016. This stayed constant from the previous number of 2,500.000 NOK for 2015. Norway Average Household Income: IT: TR: TF: Other Tax Free Transfers data is updated yearly, averaging 2,200.000 NOK from Dec 2005 (Median) to 2016, with 12 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 2,600.000 NOK in 2014 and a record low of 1,700.000 NOK in 2008. Norway Average Household Income: IT: TR: TF: Other Tax Free Transfers data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Statistics Norway. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Norway – Table NO.H014: Average Household Income. Other tax-free transfers benefits such as childcare benefit to single parents, lump sum maternity grants, compensation for work injury, education benefit to single parents and received child support managed by public arrangement. Various benefits received by people attending job creating programs are included since 2009. Since 2014, extra compensation for recipients of contractual pension (AFP) is included.

This data collection is part of a longitudinal survey designed to provide detailed information on the economic situation of households and persons in the United States. These data examine the distribution of income, wealth, and poverty in American society and gauge the effects of federal and state programs on the well-being of families and individuals. There are three basic elements contained in the survey. The first is a control card that records basic social and demographic characteristics for each person in a household, as well as changes in such characteristics over the course of the interviewing period. These include age, sex, race, ethnic origin, marital status, household relationship, education, and veteran status. Limited data are provided on housing unit characteristics such as units in structure, tenure, access, and complete kitchen facilities. The second element is the core portion of the questionnaire, with questions repeated at each interview on labor force activity, types and amounts of income, and participation in various cash and noncash benefit programs for each month of the four-month reference period. Data for employed persons include number of hours and weeks worked, earnings, and weeks without a job. Nonworkers are classified as unemployed or not in the labor force. In addition to providing income data associated with labor force activity, the core questions cover nearly 50 other types of income. Core data also include postsecondary school attendance, public or private subsidized rental housing, low-income energy assistance, and school breakfast and lunch participation. The third element consists of topical modules, which are a series of supplemental questions asked during selected household visits. Topical modules include some core data to link individuals to the core files. The Wave 1 Topical Module covers recipiency and employment history. The Wave 2 Topical Module includes work disability, education and training, marital, migration, and fertility histories, and household relationships. The Wave 3 Topical Module covers medical expenses and utilization of health care, work-related expenses and child support, assets and liabilities, real estate, shelter costs, dependent care and vehicles, value of business, interest earning accounts, rental properties, stocks and mutual fund shares, mortgages, and other assets. The Wave 4 Topical Module covers disability, taxes, child care, and annual income and retirement accounts. Data in the Wave 5 Topical Module describe child support, school enrollment and financing, support for nonhousehold members, adult and child disability, and employer-provided health benefits. Data in the Wave 6 Topical Module provide information on medical expenses, work-related expenses and child support paid, assets and liabilities, real estate, shelter costs, dependent care and vehicles, value of business, interest-earning accounts, rental properties, stock and mutual fund shares, mortgages, other financial investments. Wave 7 Topical Module includes annual income and retirement accounts, home health care, retirement expectations and pension plan coverage, and taxes. Wave 8 Topical Module covers adult well-being and welfare reform. Wave 9 Topical Module is the same as Waves 3 and 6 Topical Modules. Wave 10 Topical Module focuses on work schedules, disablility, taxes, child care, and annual income and retirement. Wave 11 includes child support, support for nonhousehold members, and adult and child disability. Wave 12 Topical Module is the same as Waves 3, 6, and 9 but also includes child well-being.

Estimates of mean and median annual incomes in the UK, by quintile groups. The redistribution effects on individuals of direct and indirect taxation and benefits received in cash or kind.

Norway Average Household Income: IT: TR: TF: Basic and Attendance Benefits data was reported at 1,400.000 NOK in 2016. This stayed constant from the previous number of 1,400.000 NOK for 2015. Norway Average Household Income: IT: TR: TF: Basic and Attendance Benefits data is updated yearly, averaging 1,400.000 NOK from Dec 2005 (Median) to 2016, with 12 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1,400.000 NOK in 2016 and a record low of 1,300.000 NOK in 2005. Norway Average Household Income: IT: TR: TF: Basic and Attendance Benefits data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Statistics Norway. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Norway – Table NO.H014: Average Household Income.