Median household income
The middle income or median income in a society or group refers to the income level at which an equal number of people have higher and lower incomes. Thus, the median defines the median income.
While the Mean income is the income of an average and thus typical member of the society under consideration, the average or per capita income is around so on over the former, the more the income distribution towards the upper end is moved. One can therefore expressed the view that the median income, the income distribution in a society better represented than the average income.
The median income is to be distinguished from the average assets.
Situation in Germany
The median net equivalent income of the German population in 2008 stood at 1,772 euros per month.
Adjusted for purchasing power based on the prices of 2005 allows the following development of the median net earned income of all employees find:
- In 2000 ( 33.2 million salaried workers ) 1,324 € / month,
- In 2005 ( 33.4 million salaried workers ) 1,300 € / month,
- In 2010 ( 35.3 million salaried workers ) 1,294 € / month.
Mean hourly wage
The average gross hourly wage for work in the poorest 10% in 2010 amounted to € 5.03 ( according to 2005 prices), with the highest income 10% € 27.77. (The numbers do not account for trainees or people in labor market policy, employment measures. ) The average wage in 2010 was 12.84. That's compared to 2000 adjusted for purchasing power declined -2.3%, compared to 2005 even a decrease of -4.9 % Adjusted for purchasing power in Germany, the hourly wages between 2000 and 2010 dropped significantly. In particular, the bottom 30%, ie by 10.6 %. Only the hourly wages of the highest income 10% have risen.