Recently released statistics from the CSO illustrate that the Dublin region (which includes Dublin City, Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown, Fingal and South Dublin) has the highest average disposable annual income for the year 2008, which at €25,337, is 12 percent higher than the State figure of €22,615. The Mid Eastern region (Kildare, Meath and Wicklow inclusive) closely follows at €22,774 and is the only other region with disposable income above the State average. Disposable income is defined as total income minus current taxes and minus social insurance contributions. The Midland regional authority (including counties Laois, Longford, Offaly and Westmeath) was under the State average at €20,434 and fairs lowest on the scale and the Border Region (Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Louth, Monaghan and Sligo) positioned second lowest with a figure of €20,555.
There also exists added variability between counties according to the figures. Leading counties include Dublin, Kildare, Limerick and Meath with average per capita disposable incomes in excess of the State figure during the years 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008. Roscommon, Mayo, Longford, Kerry, Offaly and Donegal had per capita disposable incomes below 90 percent of the State level in 2006, 2007 and 2008.
Figures for the longer-term period of 2000 to 2008 remain consistent with the findings of 2008 in that Dublin and the Mid Eastern region remain above the State average and the Midlands and Border regions occupied positions at the lower end of the scale. While differences have narrowed between regional authorities, there was in fact little change.