What can population information tell us about income?
Information about New Zealanders' income is used to show trends in the sources and distribution of personal, family and household income. Analysis of these trends is vital for monitoring social change.
Data about New Zealanders' sources of income includes information about income levels and proportions earned from:
- wages and salaries
- self-employment
- government transfers (including benefits and superannuation)
- household savings.
Details about the characteristics of people (eg age, sex, ethnicity) and households (eg urban, rural, family type) is also available for sources of income data.
Information about distribution of income includes:
- median income by region
- proportions of people within five income bands (quintiles)
- changes in real disposable income (purchasing power) of individuals and households.
Resources
Survey of Family, Income and Employment
Information on New Zealanders' work, family and household circumstances, income and net worth. Published annually by Statistics New Zealand, from 2004.
2001 Census: Incomes (2001)
Reference report from Census 2001 on personal, family and household income at a national and sub-national level.
2001 Census snapshot (work, education and income)
Snapshot of New Zealanders' income levels, sources of income and educational qualifications. Published by Statistics New Zealand, 2002.
Incomes (Census 1996)
Reference report on personal, family and household income at a national and sub-national level.
New Zealand Now: Incomes (Census 1996)
Reference report that traces what happened to the distribution of New Zealanders' incomes between 1982 and 1996. published by Statistics New Zealand, 1999.
New Zealand Income Survey
Annual survey of individuals' gross income from wages and salary, self-employment, government transfers etc. Includes information on weekly median income for individuals and households. Published by Statistics New Zealand.
New Zealanders' Taxable Incomes
Information on taxable income and tax paid for personal taxpayers in New Zealand. Published annually 1996-1999 by Statistics New Zealand, sourced from Inland Revenue Department data.
Household Savings Survey
Information on the value of New Zealanders' personal assets and debt held in New Zealand and overseas. One-off survey, published by Statistics New Zealand, 2002.
Household Economic Survey
Three-yearly survey that collects information on the incomes and expenditure patterns of private households. Published by Statistics New Zealand, latest available, 2001.
Quarterly Employment Survey
Statistics on the levels of, and changes in, total earnings, hours paid for, filled jobs, average hourly and weekly earnings, and average weekly paid hours. Published quarterly by Statistics New Zealand.
Student Loan Borrowers
Integrated data on the different characteristics of student loan borrowers between 1997 and 2000, and characteristics of their loans. Published by Statistics New Zealand, 2002.
Labour Cost Index
Measures changes in salary/wage rates and non-wage labour costs. Published quarterly by Statistics New Zealand.
Positive Ageing in New Zealand: diversity, participation and change (515Kb)
Status report 2001 that includes information on the health status and income levels of older people. Published by the Ministry of Social Development, 2001.
Work and Income Regional Plans
Regional plans contain some regional demographic data and analysis in the context of regional service delivery planning.
Job Vacancy Monitor JVM
A monthly count of job advertisements in selected editions of major newspapers and websites around New Zealand. The JVC monitors changes in the job market and recruitment trends in each occupation. Published by Department of Labour. Available from November 2002.
Occupational Safety and Health Service
Various publications with administrative data.
Raising Children in New Zealand: The Influence of Parental Income on Children's Outcomes
Review by Susan Mayer of research and estimates of the effect of parental income on a range of children's outcomes to try to determine the magnitude of such effects. Published by Ministry of Social Development, 2002.
References
Champernowne D and Cowell F (1998). Economic Inequality and Income Distribution, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.
Easterlin R (2002). Happiness in Economics, Edward Elgar, Cheltenham.
Holmes K (2001). The Concept of Income - a Multidisciplinary Analysis, IBFD Publications, Amsterdam.
Experts
For further information on income data contact Statistics New Zealand