The disposable income per person as a percentage deviation from the state average is shown in Figure 1.1. Viewing disposable income on a per capita basis as displayed in Figure 1.1 and Map 1.1 allow us to make more direct comparisons between regions of different sizes and populations than comparing total figures, like those shown in Figure 1.2. It is also worth noting, county calculations for disposable income are estimates and involve a certain degree of uncertainty, however, despite the uncertainty disposable income per capita allow us to visualise discrepancies in income between regions and counties.
Dublin City and County is the only region where disposable income per person is significantly above the state average as seen in Figure 1.1. Dublin has the largest disposable income amounting to €27,958 per person. Income has risen to 14.7% above the state average for 2021 and has increased for the fourth consecutive year. Disposable income in Limerick is estimated at €25,190 per person, next highest after Dublin. Income per person in Limerick is 3.3% above the state average, falling marginally by 0.2% from 2020. While disposable income per person in Wicklow has dropped by 3% from 2020 to 2021, it still remains 1.3% above the state average. Smaller counties such as Carlow, Louth and Westmeath see their disposable income rise to around the state average. As seen in Figure 1.3, the social benefits per person for each of these counties are significantly above the state average and contribute to an overall rise in the county's disposable income per capita.
Donegal continues to be the poorest in terms of disposable income per capita, it accounts for €19,253 per person and 21% below the state average. Of all counties whose disposable income lies below the state average only Galway and Westmeath have seen their income rise from 2020 to 2021 relative to the national average in those years.
The index of disposable income per person by county is shown in Map 1.1, the monetary value are given in Table 1.1. The county with the lowest disposable income per capita was Donegal with an index of 79.0 (€19,253 per person), followed by Laois with an index of 80.7 (€19,659 per person) and Kilkenny with an index of 80.8 (€19,696 per person). After Dublin, Limerick is the second wealthiest county with an index of 103.3 (€25,190 per person); ahead of Wicklow (index: 101.3, income: €24,702 per person). Income in Kildare is closest to the state average with an index of 99.7 (€24,299 per person). While the figures involve a degree of uncertainty, the gap between the lowest and highest county income per capita has widened considerably and is now at €8,705, a jump of €1,740 from 2020.
As seen in Figure 1.2, total disposable income in the Dublin NUTS 3 region (Dublin City and County) is the highest in the state and has risen to €39.7 billion. Dublin is followed by the South-West NUTS 3 region – comprising of counties Cork and Kerry – accounting for €17.4 billion in disposable income. Disposable income generated in Cork represents 81% of the South-West’s total or 36% of the Southern region’s total at NUTS 2 level. The Mid-East region ranks third largest in terms of disposable income and has recorded a figure of €17.3 billion in 2021 due in large part to counties Kildare (€5.7 billion) and Meath (€4.7 billion). Incomes in the Mid-East region have been steadily increasing since 2013 and have risen by 3.3% again this year from 2020. The Midlands has the lowest total income in 2021 and has consistently remained the poorest region in the state, followed by the Border region. As observed in Figures 3.1 and 3.2, both regions have a lower concentration of industry and manufacturing and are more reliant on the public sector to generate value and employment in the region.
Social benefits and other transfers are the social transfers to households made by the State, either in cash or in kind, intended to relieve households of certain financial risks or burdens. Disposable income is defined as primary income plus social benefits and other transfers; less taxes on income and social insurance contributions. Further details are given in the Background Notes. After wages and salaries, social benefits are the largest contributor towards disposable income and have a significant bearing how counties rank on a per person basis with respect to disposable income.
Figure 1.3 shows the Social Benefits including Other Transfers on a per person basis by county for 2021. As seen, the largest per capita recipient of social benefits is Longford with €8,751 per person, followed by Carlow at €8,701 and Louth at €8,458 per person. It is worth noting that each of the counties whose disposable income is above the state average in Figure 1.1 now fall below the state average for social benefits in Figure 1.3, this is with the exception of Limerick whose social benefits stand at €7,683 per person.
Carlow is the other exception to this case as the second highest recipient of social benefits per person. Social benefits prove to be significant for Carlow whose disposable income climbs to just above the State average. Likewise for Louth, whose disposable income after social benefits rises to just under the State average, as observed in Figure 1.1.
Figure 1.4 shows the percentage of compensation of employees (COE) attributed to foreign and domestic enterprises. As expected, the counties with the largest share of COE coming from foreign enterprises are cities and the surrounding counties. Foreign COE is at its highest in Dublin at 40%, followed by Cork 37%. In rural counties, foreign COE falls to 20% in Monaghan and 22% in Kerry.
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