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

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

On defence spending, Sir Tony called on the government to "resolve" its promise to spend 3.5% of national income on defence by 2035, a promise made at the Nato summit last year.

From BBC • Feb. 21, 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

The 16th Amendment simultaneously allowed national income tax.

From The Wall Street Journal • Sep. 27, 2025

The national income of a country is, on the whole, much less affected by a change of fashion than the separate incomes of its people.

From Principles of Political Economy, Vol. II by Roscher, Wilhelm