national income

American  

noun

1. the total net earnings from the production of goods and services in a country over a period of time, usually one year, and consisting essentially of wages, salaries, rent, profits, and interest.

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national income British  

noun

1. economics the total of all incomes accruing over a specified period to residents of a country and consisting of wages, salaries, profits, rent, and interest

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Etymology

Origin of national income

First recorded in 1875–80

Example Sentences

The possibility of a populist backlash is especially relevant currently, given that the share of national income going to labor is now at an all-time low.

From MarketWatch • May 6, 2026

He said higher energy prices would boost national income, as Canada is a net crude-oil exporter.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 18, 2026

Cocoa accounts for about 7% of Ghana's GDP, or national income, and the beans' export makes up around 15% of the country's foreign exchange earnings.

From BBC • Mar. 8, 2026

France is planning to reduce development assistance by nearly 40%, and the U.K. is shrinking aid expenditures from 0.5% to 0.3% of its gross national income by 2027.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 13, 2026

Nevertheless, the official index of national income growth showed an increase of 7 percent from 1970 to 1971.

From Area Handbook for Bulgaria by Baluyut, Violeta D.