BEA Advisory: BEA Releases Updated Statistics Measuring the Distribution of Personal Income

December 15, 2021
Contact: Jeannine Aversa                 Thomas Dail	301.278.9003	jeannine.aversa@bea.gov thomas.dail@bea.gov

BEA Releases Updated Statistics Measuring the Distribution of Personal Income  SUITLAND, Md. – BEA today released updated prototype statistics measuring how the nation’s personal income is distributed across households covering the years 2000-2019. U.S. personal income is one of the principal economic indicators produced by the Bureau of Economic Analysis. Today’s report includes updated statistics on the distributions of personal income and disposable personal income, that is, personal income minus personal current taxes. The estimates show the income shares by deciles as well as the share of the top 1%.  In addition, inequality metrics are provided for quintiles.  There are also breakdowns by sources of income, including compensation, interest income, and government benefits for every year, as well as a summary table of inequality metrics for all years. The statistics, their methodology, and related research are available on bea.gov. BEA continues to seek feedback to help refine the methodology and presentation of the prototype statistics   Disposable Personal Income Disposable Personal Income Real Change From Preceding Month October 2021 -0.3 percent September 2021 -1.6 percent August 2021 -0.1 percent July 2021 0.9 percent Current Release Current Release: November 24, 2021 Next Release:  December 23, 2021 Interactive Data Table 2.1. Personal Income and Its Disposition, Quarterly and Annual Table 2.6 Personal Income and Its Disposition, Monthly Documentation NIPA Handbook: Concepts and Methods of the U.S. National Income and Product Accounts Previously Published Estimates Data Archive Previously published estimates contain historical data and have since been revised. News Release Archive What is Disposable Personal Income? After-tax income. The amount that U.S. residents have left to spend or save after paying taxes is important not just to individuals but to the whole economy. The formula is simple: personal income minus personal current taxes. Learn More Contact Personnel Personal Income James Rankin (301) 278-9087 piniwd@bea.gov Personal Consumption Expenditures Harvey Davis (202) 606-5302 pce@bea.gov Revisions Brian Smith (301) 278-9625 Brian.Smith@bea.gov News Media Jeannine Aversa (301) 278-9003 Jeannine.Aversa@bea.gov