Income statistics, persons and families, 2004

The Norwegian population received NOK 1 023 billion in total cash income in 2004. Total cash income includes wages and salaries, net income from self-employment, property income and various pensions and social security benefits. The most important income source for Norwegian households is income from work (including sickness benefit), which amounted to NOK 705 billion in 2004. Wages and salaries alone increased by 3 per cent from the previous year.

NOK 228 billion in social security benefits and pensions

Various social security benefits, pensions and allowances totalled NOK 227.8 billion in 2004, of which NOK 191 billion was due to taxation. The largest taxable transfers were social security benefits of NOK 140.6 billion, followed by service pensions of NOK 38.9 billion. Unemployment benefit amounted to NOK 10.9 billion.

Various tax-free transfers amounted to NOK 36.8 billion in 2004. More than half of this was transfer aimed at families with children. The largest benefit is child allowance of NOK 14.1 billion whilst cash-for-care for families with small children came to NOK 3.1 billion in 2004.

Property income rose despite a drop in received interest

Property income constituted NOK 90 billion in 2004. The most important source of property income are received share dividend of NOK 62.6 billion, an increase of NOK 8 billion from the previous year. In the same period, realised capital gains almost doubled in value from NOK 6.7 billion to NOK 12.6 billion. At the same time interest on bank deposits dropped more than 50 per cent to NOK 9.4 billion due to a generally falling interest rate.

About the data

Information on income of Norwegian households is collected from various administrative registers, i.e. the Norwegian Tax Administration and the National Office for Social Insurance. The statistics include the whole residing population. Changes in legislation for taxes and social security benefits may influence comparability over time.

Tables:

• Table 1 Income account for residents at current kroner. 2000-2004*. NOK million