Socio-Economic Profile

Of the eight Strategic Planning Areas (SPA) in Ireland, Dublin had the highest average disposable income per person in 2013. At €20,885 it was 11.6% higher than the State figure of €18,707 and approximately 0.9% lower than the figure of €21,072 (revised) for 2012.  Of the remaining seven SPAs, only the Mid-West, at €19,168 (€19,514 in 2012) had an average disposable income per person higher than the State average (2.5% in 2013 and 2.9% in 2012). The Border region with €16,610 and the Midland region with €17,052 fared worst among the eight regions at approximately 11 and 9 per cent respectively below the State average.

The gap between the maximum and minimum value of disposable income per person per SPA, increased from €4,127 in 2012 (revised) to €4,275 in 2013, due to Dublin regional incomes decreasing by €187 (0.9%)   while those of the lowest region, Border, decreased more by €335 (1.9%). 

Dublin remained the only region with higher per capita disposable income than the State average during the entire 2004-2013 period while the Midland, Border and West regions have continuously earned less than the State average.

Viewed from this longer term perspective (i.e. from 2004 onwards) the divergence in income between the regions and Dublin was at its lowest in 2010 but has continued to widen in 2011, 2012 and 2013.

Greater uncertainty at county level

• While the county figures involve uncertainty they do provide a useful indication of the degree of variability at county level.  Dublin, Limerick and Cork are the only counties where per capita disposable income exceeded the state average in 2013. Both Limerick and Cork are within the NUTS II Southern Region.
• At the other end of the spectrum, some counties have never had per capita disposable income greater than the State average during the entire period 2004 to 2013.