Income bracket

The division in income groups is based on the standardised disposable household income, i.e. the collective gross income of all household members less paid income transfers, contributions and taxes. The amount is then adjusted for composition and size of the household. The standardised disposable household income, also termed purchasing power, is subsequently attributed to each household member. On the basis of the standardised income, POLS survey participants are distributed over five income groups. The lowest income group comprises the 20 percent of people living on the lowest incomes, the highest income group comprises the 20 percent of people with the highest incomes.