Changes in purchasing power

Changes in purchasing power are calculated as year-on-year percentage changes in a person’s standardised disposable household income, adjusted for price changes. These percentage-based income changes are ranked from smallest to largest, with the ‘middle’ or median value reflecting the change in purchasing power for the relevant population group or sub-group. Personal (dynamic) purchasing power can change for all kinds of reasons. A person’s income can change as a result of a wage increase, promotion, starting a (new) job or retiring, for instance. Changes in household composition (e.g. a child leaving the parental home or a couple separating) may also result in income changes. All these changes are reflected when dynamic purchasing power is calculated.

For 2022, purchasing power was calculated for the same population groups as in 2021.