Households' income, particular groups, 1996-2004

Most Norwegian households have experienced a substantial rise in income over the last years, but not everyone has taken part in this growth. People on social assistance stand out as one group with a much weaker growth in income. The annual income distribution survey for households show a 25 per cent general rise in median income after tax per consumption unit (OECD-scale) from 1996 to 2004, in fixed prices. In the same period receivers of social assistance increased their income after tax by 15 per cent. Only single people under the age of 35 had a similar weak income growth.

One explanation to this development may be that social assistance amounts, which according to public guidelines are adjusted with the consumer price index, haven’t kept up with the general income growth in Norway.

The data

The data are taken from the annual income distribution surveys for households. These are sample surveys with a sample size ranging from roughly 10 000 households to 28 000 households for the period 1996-2004. The indicators are updated every year.

Tables:

• Table 1 Percentage of people in households with annual after-tax income per consumption unit below different distances to the median income. EU-scale. Different groups. 1996, 1999, 2001-2004. Per cent
• Table 2 Percentage of people in households with annual after-tax income per consumption unit below different distances to the median income. OECD-scale. Different groups. 1996, 1999, 2001-2004. Per cent
• Table 3 Median after tax income per consumption unit for households. EU-scale. At constant prices (NOK in 2004). 1996=100
• Table 4 Median after tax income per consumption unit for households. OECD-scale. At constant prices (NOK in 2004). 1996=100
• Table 5 Percentage of people in households without any economically actives. Different groups. 1996, 1999, 2001-2004. Per cent
• Table 6 Percentage of people in households where income from work is the main household income. Different groups. 1996, 1999, 2001-2004. Per cent
• Table 7 Percentage of people in households receiving dwelling support. Different groups. 1996, 1999, 2001-2004. Per cent
• Table 8 Percentage of people i households receiving social assistance. Different groups. 1996, 1999, 2001-2004
• Table 9 Percentage of people in households receiving dwelling support and social assistance. Different groups. 1996, 1999, 2001-2004
• Table 10 Percentage of people in households receiving basic attendance benefit. Different groups. 1996, 1999, 2001-2004
• Table 11 Percentage of people in households where interest paid represents more than 15 per cent of total household income. Different groups. 1996, 1999, 2001-2004
• Table 12 Percentage of people in households with debt more than three times total household income. Different groups. 1996, 1999, 2001-2004
• Table 13 Percentage of people with annual low income in different countries in Europe. Percentage of people with a disposable equivalent income below 60 per cent of average national median equivalent income. EU-scale. 1999, 2001, 2003 and 2004
• Table 14 Number of observations in tables 1-12. 1996, 1999, 2001-2004