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

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has indicated he wants to speed up plans to reach 3% of national income being spent on defence.

From BBC • Mar. 17, 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

Every class corresponding to a branch of the national income must live with the consciousness that its interests coincide with the economic interests of the whole nation.

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