Income distribution (2024)

Published

Contents

  1. 1. Navigate toMain facts and figures section
  2. 2. Navigate toThings you need to know section
  3. 3. Navigate to By ethnicity (before housing costs) section
  4. 4. Navigate to By ethnicity (after housing costs) section
  5. 5. Navigate toData sources section
  6. 6. Navigate toDownload the data section

1. Main facts and figures

New data for the period 2017 to 2020 combined is available if you download the data. The charts, tables and commentary on this page cover the period 2016 to 2019 combined and do not include the new data.

In the period 2016 to 2019:

  • in this data, UK households were divided into 5 equally-sized groups (or ‘quintiles’) based on their income
  • in the 3 years to March 2019, an average of 76% of Pakistani households were in the 2 lowest income quintiles (after housing costs were deducted) – this was the highest percentage out of all ethnic groups
  • over half of households from the Bangladeshi, Asian Other, Black and Other ethnic groups were in the 2 lowest income quintiles (after housing costs)
  • 42% of White British households were in the 2 highest income quintiles (after housing costs) – the highest percentage out of all ethnic groups
  • 10% of Bangladeshi and Pakistani households were in the 2 highest income quintiles (after housing costs) – the lowest percentages out of all ethnic groups

2. Things you need to know

What the data measures

Due to the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on data collection and sample composition, 2020/21 HBAI estimates by ethnicity were not published. Please refer to our Technical Report: Assessment of COVID-19 on the HBAI statistics for FYE2021 for further information. Three-year average data is available to 2017/18-2019/20.

The data measures how income is spread across UK households, by ethnicity.

Households are divided into 5 equally-sized groups (called ‘quintiles’). The lowest quintile, for example, contains the 20% of households with the lowest income.

Household income is the total income of the household before tax, National Insurance and other deductions. It includes the value of free school meals, free TV licences and other income-based entitlements.

The data measures income before and after housing costs have been paid. Housing costs include rent or mortgage payments and insurance.

The information relates to households of either one person or a group of people sharing cooking facilities and a living room or dining area. It must be their main or only home.

Percentages are rounded to the nearest whole number. Due to this, some figures may not add up to 100%.

Not included in the data

Percentages based on fewer than 100 responses are not shown. This is to protect people’s confidentiality.

The ethnic groups used in the data

The data uses the ethnic categories from the 2011 Census.

Data is aggregated for each of the Black, Mixed and Other ethnic groups, which means estimates are shown for these groups as a whole. Data is shown separately for White British and all other White people (‘White Other’ ethnic group).

Some households contain people from different ethnic backgrounds. The ethnicity assigned to the household is that of the head of the household (usually the person with the highest income). The data does not account for people of different ethnic backgrounds who live in the same household.

Methodology

Read the detailed methodology document (PDF, 1.1MB, 70 pages) (PDF opens in a new window or tab) for the data on this page.

Data for 3 years has been combined to make sure estimates are reliable.

Confidence intervals have not been worked out, so comparisons between ethnic groups may not be reliable.

Household income has been adjusted (or ‘equivalised’) to take into account the number of adults and children who live there.

The figures on this page are based on survey data. You can read more about:

In the data file

Download the data for figures for each 3-year period covered by this data analysed by ethnicity.

3. By ethnicity (before housing costs)

Location:
United Kingdom
Time period:
April 2016 to March 2019 (3 years combined)
Source:
Households Below Average Income: 1994/95 to 2018/19
Percentage of households in each income quintile (before housing costs), by ethnicity
Ethnicity Percentage of individuals in bottom income quintile (lowest income) Percentage of individuals in second income quintile Percentage of individuals in third income quintile Percentage of individuals in fourth income quintile Percentage of individuals in top income quintile (highest income)
% % % % %
Asian 32 22 17 14 15
Bangladeshi 37 30 18 12 3
Chinese 30 15 17 11 27
Indian 21 17 19 19 25
Pakistani 47 26 16 7 4
Asian other 27 23 17 17 15
Black 31 26 19 15 10
Mixed 24 19 16 23 18
White 18 20 20 21 21
White British 18 20 21 21 21
White other 19 17 19 20 25
Other 30 22 15 17 16

Download table data for ‘By ethnicity (before housing costs)’ (CSV) Source data for ‘By ethnicity (before housing costs)’ (CSV)

Summary of Income distribution By ethnicity (before housing costs) Summary

In the year ending March 2019, the average (median) annual household income in each quintile before housing costs were paid was:

  • top quintile: £54,000
  • second highest quintile: £35,700
  • middle quintile: £26,800
  • second lowest quintile: £20,500
  • bottom quintile: £13,300

This data shows that, before housing costs were paid:

  • 47% of households from the Pakistani ethnic group were in the lowest income quintile – this was the highest percentage out of all ethnic groups
  • the Pakistani ethnic group also had the highest percentage of households in the lowest 2 income quintiles (73%)
  • the White Other (36%), White British (38%), and Indian (38%) ethnic groups had the lowest percentage of households in the lowest 2 income quintiles
  • the Bangladeshi ethnic group had the lowest percentage of households in the highest income quintile (3%), while the Chinese group had the highest percentage (27%)
  • there were 3 times as many Black households in the lowest income quintile (31%) as in the highest income quintile (10%)

4. By ethnicity (after housing costs)

Location:
United Kingdom
Time period:
April 2016 to March 2019 (3 years combined)
Source:
Households Below Average Income: 1994/95 to 2018/19
Percentage of households in each income quintile (after housing costs), by ethnicity
Ethnicity Percentage of individuals in bottom income quintile (lowest income) Percentage of individuals in second income quintile Percentage of individuals in third income quintile Percentage of individuals in fourth income quintile Percentage of individuals in top income quintile (highest income)
% % % % %
Asian 34 24 16 12 14
Bangladeshi 48 27 15 6 4
Chinese 32 17 17 12 22
Indian 22 18 19 17 24
Pakistani 43 33 15 6 4
Asian other 37 23 14 13 12
Black 39 23 17 12 8
Mixed 30 15 19 20 16
White 18 20 21 21 21
White British 17 20 21 21 21
White other 25 19 18 20 19
Other 39 19 13 14 14

Download table data for ‘By ethnicity (after housing costs)’ (CSV) Source data for ‘By ethnicity (after housing costs)’ (CSV)

Summary of Income distribution By ethnicity (after housing costs) Summary

In the year ending March 2019, the average (median) annual household income in each quintile after housing costs were paid was:

  • top quintile: £49,000
  • second highest quintile: £31,600
  • middle quintile: £23,300
  • second lowest quintile: £16,600
  • bottom quintile: £9,200

This data shows that, after housing costs were paid:

  • the Indian ethnic group had the highest percentage of households in the highest income quintile (24%)
  • the Bangledeshi ethnic group had the lowest percentage of households in the highest income quintile (4%) – it also had the highest percentage of households in the lowest income quintile (48%)
  • the Pakistani (76%), Bangladeshi (75%) and Black (62%) ethnic groups had the highest percentages of households in the 2 lowest income groups
  • 37% of White British households were in the 2 lowest income quintiles

5. Data sources

Source

Households Below Average Income: 1994/95 to 2018/19

Type of data

Survey data

Type of statistic

National Statistics

Publisher

Department for Work and Pensions

Note on corrections or updates

Any 3-year estimates before the period from April 2012 to March 2015 may be different to the published Households Below Average Income tables due to a change in the ethnic groups shown.

Publication frequency

Yearly

Purpose of data source

Households Below Average Income is the main source of data about household income and inequality in the UK.

6. Download the data

Income distribution - Spreadsheet (csv) 344 KB

This file contains the following variables: Measure, Time, Time_type, Ethnicity, Ethnicity_type, Geography, Geography_type, Income Quintile Distribution

Publication release date: 20 May 2022

full page history
  1. Data download file has been updated with the latest data for 2017 to 2020 combined.
Contents

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Income distribution (2024)

FAQs

Income distribution? ›

In economics, income distribution covers how a country's total GDP is distributed amongst its population. Economic theory and economic policy have long seen income and its distribution as a central concern.

What is meant by distribution of income? ›

The distribution of income is simply a statistical measure of how many people earn or receive various amounts of income.

What is an example of income distribution? ›

For example, if the CEO earns $10,000,000 per year and average worker's pay is $50,000, the wage ratio is 200:1. In a Global Risks report, over 700 experts warned that the widening wealth gap has the potential to cause significant damage worldwide.

How is income distribution calculated? ›

The measurement of income distribution is calculated by dividing the 'Gross Domestic Product (GDP)' by the nation's population, with the GDP being a measure of the market value for all goods and services produced.

Why is income distribution important? ›

Thus through this mechanism, a more equal distribution of income stimulates economic growth. An improvement in the capital markets and legal institutions in poor economies will have larger growth effects than in rich countries.

What are the types of income distribution? ›

The two types of income distribution are equal and unequal income distribution.

What kind of income is distributions? ›

Distributions are a payout of your business's equity to you and other owners. That means they can come from the accumulated profits or from money that was previously invested in the business and are not factored into how much a business owner is taxed.

What is the best way to distribute income? ›

The basic rule of thumb is to divide your monthly after-tax income into three spending categories: 50% for needs, 30% for wants and 20% for savings or paying off debt. By regularly keeping your expenses balanced across these main spending areas, you can put your money to work more efficiently.

Can distributions be used as income? ›

No, distributions are not an additional or secondary source of income for qualifying purposes and cannot be used in the absence of business earnings for qualifying purposes. A documented history of distributions demonstrates that business income has been received by the borrower.

How should you distribute income? ›

The rule states that you should spend up to 50% of your after-tax income on needs and obligations that you must-have or must-do. The remaining half should be split up between 20% savings and debt repayment and 30% to everything else that you might want.

What is the top 20% income distribution? ›

They found that the top 20% of all Americans earn over $130,000 in income. Thats over 5 times more than the bottom 20%. While that's interesting in and of itself, what even more important is that the top 20% are also receiving over 50% of all the income earned in the country.

What does income distribution depend on? ›

Aside from asset redistribution, changes in income distribution depend on changes in the amount and returns to current activities, that is to say, employment of different types of labour, and returns to that employment.

How are income distributions taxed? ›

Key Takeaways. Qualified dividends must meet special requirements issued by the IRS. The maximum tax rate for qualified dividends is 20%, with a few exceptions for real estate, art, or small business stock. Ordinary dividends are taxed at income tax rates, which as of the 2022 and 2023 tax years, maxes out at 37%.

What are the two measures of income distribution? ›

Two of the most commonly used income distribution measures are the shares of aggregate household income received by each quintile and the Gini index.

What are four factors that affect income distribution? ›

The macroeconomic variables that are found to be associated with an improvement in income distribution are higher growth rate, higher income level, higher investment rate, real depreciation (especially for low-income countries), and improvement in terms of trade.

What is the problem of distribution of income? ›

It is a problem concerning the distribution of goods and services among factors of production and individuals in an economy. This problem has two aspects : (i) Distribution of income between the different factors of production,(ii) Distribution of income in present as well as in future.

What is the top 1 income distribution? ›

Top 1% income threshold: $682,897
  1. Top 1% income threshold: $682,897.
  2. Top 5% income threshold: $288,694.
Jan 24, 2023

What are the 3 most common types of income? ›

The three main types of income to consider are:
  1. Active income. If you have a job and receive a paycheck, you make your money through active or earned income . ...
  2. Portfolio income. Portfolio income comes from investments such as dividends, interest, royalties and capital gains. ...
  3. Passive income.
Feb 3, 2023

Why are distributions not taxed? ›

Distributions (or draws) from a sole proprietor business, partnership, limited liability company (LLC), or s-corporation are usually nontaxable events. When a distribution is paid to an owner of a business, it reduces the owner's capital account and basis in the business.

Do distributions reduce income? ›

Any distributions will be a tax-free reduction of the shareholder's basis. Any distribution in excess of the shareholder's stock basis is treated as capital gain from the deemed disposition of stock.

Is it better to take a salary or distribution? ›

Least Risky Salary:Distribution Ratio

Paying yourself 100% in salary is the safest route to go. But you are paying unnecessary taxes since the IRS definitely allows you to pay yourself a distribution. Therefore, it's up to you to figure out what ratio is best for you.

What is the 70% income rule? ›

The 70-20-10 rule holds that: 70 percent of your after-tax income should go toward basic monthly expenses like housing, utilities, food, transportation, and personal living expenses; 20 percent should be saved or put into investments, leaving 10 percent for debt repayment.

How can I make $1000 a month in passive income? ›

Passive Income: 7 Ways To Make an Extra $1,000 a Month
  1. Buy US Treasuries. ...
  2. Rent Out Your Yard. ...
  3. Rent Out Your Car. ...
  4. Rental Real Estate. ...
  5. Publish an E-Book. ...
  6. Become an Affiliate. ...
  7. Sell an Online Course. ...
  8. Bottom Line.
Mar 29, 2023

What is the 70 money rule? ›

The 70/20/10 budget rule is a money management strategy you can use to dictate where you want your income to go. It involves separating your take-home pay into three buckets and dividing each into the following percentages: Seventy percent for monthly bills and daily spending.

How do I avoid 20% tax on my 401k withdrawal? ›

One of the easiest ways to lower the amount of taxes you have to pay on 401(k) withdrawals is to convert to a Roth IRA or Roth 401(k). Withdrawals from Roth accounts are not taxed.

Do distributions count as income for Social Security? ›

Will withdrawals from my individual retirement account affect my Social Security benefits? Social Security does not count pension payments, annuities, or the interest or dividends from your savings and investments as earnings. They do not lower your Social Security retirement benefits.

Do 401k distributions count as income? ›

How does a 401(k) withdrawal affect your tax return? Once you start withdrawing from your 401(k) or traditional IRA, your withdrawals are taxed as ordinary income. You'll report the taxable part of your distribution directly on your Form 1040.

What percentage of Americans make over $100000 a year? ›

In the US, 18% of individual Americans and 34.4% of households make $100k per year or more. This number has increased by 2.97% in the past five years and has nearly doubled since 1980. However, that doesn't mean all $100k+ earners are evenly spread.

What income puts you in the top 5%? ›

Top 5% income

You'll start to see dramatic shifts in the top 5%, where the EPI found the average earners significantly increased to $343,000 in 2020, up from $324,000 the year before. While that's certainly a lot, there's a growing trend of even more cash flowing to — flooding even — those at the top of the heap.

What income is middle class? ›

Middle Class Defined by Region. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the median income in 2021 was $70,784. So American families earning between $47,189 and $141,568 are technically in the middle class, according to the Pew Research Center's definition. However, other factors must be considered.

How much of my distribution is taxable? ›

When you take a distribution from a traditional IRA, the IRS considers it 100% taxable income. That means you'll owe ordinary income taxes on the entire distribution amount. In addition, you must subtract your federal and state income tax percentages from the total distribution.

How do you avoid taxes on lump sum distributions? ›

Investors can avoid taxes on a lump sum pension payout by rolling over the proceeds into an individual retirement account (IRA) or other eligible retirement accounts.

How do I avoid taxes on retirement distributions? ›

The easiest way to borrow from your 401(k) without owing any taxes is to roll over the funds into a new retirement account. You may do this when, for instance, you leave a job and are moving funds from your former employer's 401(k) plan into one sponsored by your new employer.

What is disparity of income distribution? ›

Income inequality refers to how unevenly income is distributed throughout a population. The less equal the distribution, the greater the income inequality. Income inequality is often accompanied by wealth inequality, which is the uneven distribution of wealth.

What is the size distribution of income? ›

Size distribution of income refers to the proportion of total income received by various groups and focuses on inequality of income between various income earners, irrespective of the source from which the income is derived. It can also be called personal distribution of income.

What is the income distribution in the US? ›

Income in 2021 CPI-U-RS adjusted dollars. Income refers to money income before tax.
...
Percentage distribution of household income in the United States in 2021.
Annual household income in U.S. dollarsPercentage of U.S. households
Under 15,0009.3%
15,000 to 24,9998.1%
25,000 to 34,9997.8%
35,000 to 49,99910.9%
5 more rows
Sep 30, 2022

What is poor distribution of income between rich and poor? ›

Income and wealth inequalities significant

The richest 10% of the global population currently take home 52% of the income. The poorest half of the global population? Well they earn just 8%.

What is the income distribution between the rich and the poor? ›

The ratio of the 90th- to 10th-percentile increased from 12.90 in 2020 to 13.53 in 2021. That means income at the top of the income distribution was 13.53 times higher than income at the bottom, a 4.9% increase from 2020.

What are 3 factors that affect income? ›

Some of the factors that determine an individual's income level include education level, economic trends, and skills.

What are the 5 reasons for income inequality? ›

Market factors
  • Globalization. Main article: Globalization. ...
  • Superstar hypothesis. Eric Posner and Glen Weyl point out that inequality can be predominantly explained by the superstar hypothesis. ...
  • Education. ...
  • Skill-biased technological change. ...
  • Race and gender disparities. ...
  • Incentives. ...
  • Stock buybacks.

What is meant by income distribution quizlet? ›

Income distribution. Income distribution refers to theway the nation's 'income cake' is divided or shared between individuals and income units making up the population.

What salary is considered upper class? ›

$156,600

What percentage of Americans make $75000 a year? ›

Overall, the highest percentage of Americans (16.5%) have an income between $50,000-$74,999. With the second and third highest percentages being those who make between $75,000-$99,999 (12.2%) and $100,000-$149,000 (15.3%).

What is the rich to poor ratio? ›

Rich/poor income ratio - the market income of the richest 10% in the population (10th decile) divided by the average market income of the bottom 10% in the population (1st decile). The higher the ratio is, the more unequal the distribution of market income will be.

What is the poverty trap? ›

A poverty trap refers to an economic system in which it is difficult to escape poverty. A poverty trap is not merely the absence of economic means. It is created due to a mix of factors, such as access to education and healthcare, working together to keep an individual or family in poverty.

What are the five key measures of income? ›

Gross domestic product, Net National Product, Gross National Product, Personal Income, and Disposable Income are the five measures of natural income. The five factors listed below are used to calculate national income. This information is required to comprehend the country's economic performance.

What are the factors of income distribution? ›

The macroeconomic variables that are found to be associated with an improvement in income distribution are higher growth rate, higher income level, higher investment rate, real depreciation (especially for low-income countries), and improvement in terms of trade.

How is income distribution different from income inequality? ›

Income inequality refers to how unevenly income is distributed throughout a population. The less equal the distribution, the greater the income inequality. Income inequality is often accompanied by wealth inequality, which is the uneven distribution of wealth.

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