Dublin city and county had the highest average disposable income in the state in 2018, according to new CSO figures.

The average income in the Dublin region was €24,969, which is 17.4% higher than the State average of €21,270.

This statistics show a year-on-year increase of 5.7% for Dublin, where incomes were 6.2% higher than those of the next highest county, Kildare.

Statistician John Milne said: “Dublin incomes continued to rise above the average in 2018. People in Dublin earned 17% more than the average State income and 6% more than those in Kildare, which had the second-highest income level at 10% above the average.

Average exceeded

The only counties where per capital disposable income exceeded the State average of €21,270 in 2018, were, in descending order, Dublin, Kildare, Limerick, Wicklow, Meath and Cork.

The gap between the maximum and minimum value of per-capita disposable income, on a regional basis, increased from €6,430 in 2017 to €7,578 in 2018.

This was due to Dublin regional incomes increasing by €1,348 (5.7%) while those of the lowest region, the Border, increased by only €199 (1.2%) to €17,391.

Incomes in the Midland region dropped by €420 between 2017 and 2018 to €17,389. 

Average income highest in Dublin 

Dublin continues to remain the only region with higher per capita disposable income than the State average during the entire 2009-2018 period while the Border and West regions continue to earn significantly less than the State average.

Some counties have never had per-capita disposable income greater than the state average during the entire period 2004 to 2018.

Primary income plays major role

Total household income is defined as primary income plus social transfers. Disposable household income is this household income, less taxes.

In the counties of Dublin, Kildare, Galway, Limerick and Cork, total primary income noticeably exceeded disposable income in 2018.

These are the counties with high employment rates as indicated in the results of the 2016 census.