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

See Examples For:

national income

If that rings a bell, it’s the Easterlin Paradox from 1974, which noted that although the rich are happier than the poor, happiness doesn’t increase as national income grows over time.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 26, 2026

This, he warned, "could come back to haunt us in defence" - because the defence budget is calculated as a percentage of national income.

From BBC ● Jun. 18, 2026

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

Analysis by the National Energy System Operator suggests Britain's energy costs could drop from about 10% of national income in 2025 to about 5-6% by 2050.

From BBC ● Apr. 10, 2026

The importance of private enterprise in the production of food, however, is much greater than its contribution to the national income may suggest.

From Area Handbook for Bulgaria by Baluyut, Violeta D.