Randstad residents have highest disposable income

In 2005, the per capita disposable income in the Randstad region was distinctly higher than in the rest of the country. With more than 10 percent below the nationwide average, the province of Friesland recorded the lowest average income, according to figures published by Statistics Netherlands.

Average per capita income, 2005

Average per capita income 19.6 thousand euro

In 2005, the primary per capita income (income from labour and capital) averaged 19.6 thousand euro. Incomes are not evenly distributed across the Dutch provinces. The average primary income is highest in the Randstad. Primary incomes in the north and east of the country are considerably lower.

Disposable income includes benefits received and social contributions paid. Income differences between the various provinces become smaller, if only the disposable income is taken into consideration, but the top 3 wealthiest provinces are still found in the Randstad area.

Highest incomes in Utrecht and North Holland

The per capita disposable income in the Netherlands averaged 14.4 thousand euro in 2005. In the provinces of Utrecht and North Holland, the average disposable income was 15.5 thousand euro, nearly 8 percent above the national average.

People living in the provinces of Friesland, Groningen and Overijssel were markedly poorer. The average resident of Friesland could spend 12.9 thousand euro, i.e. more than 10 percent below the nationwide average.

Per capita disposable income, 2005

Large discrepancies between the four big cities

Rotterdam stands out as the only one of the four big cities where the disposable income is below average. In 2005, the average disposable income in Rotterdam was 13.4 thousand euro, nearly one thousand euro below the Dutch average. The average disposable income in Amsterdam was 900 euro above the nationwide average, in Utrecht nearly one thousand euro.

Per capita disposable income in metropolitan areas, 2005

Thijmen van Bree