1.1. Contact organisation
[4D0] European Commission (including Eurostat)
1.2. Contact organisation unit
[4D1_E2] Eurostat - Environmental statistics and accounts; sustainable development
1.3. Contact name
Confidential because of GDPR
1.4. Contact person function
Confidential because of GDPR
1.5. Contact mail address
e-mail contact : ESTAT-SDG-MONITORING@ec.europa.eu
1.6. Contact email address
Confidential because of GDPR
1.7. Contact phone number
Confidential because of GDPR
1.8. Contact fax number
Confidential because of GDPR
2.1. Metadata last certified
9 April 2026
2.2. Metadata last posted
9 April 2026
2.3. Metadata last update
9 April 2026
The indicator is part of the EU Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) indicator set. It is used to monitor progress towards SDG 10 on reducing inequality within and among countries and SDG 1 on ending poverty in all its forms everywhere, which is embedded in the European Commission’s Priorities under 'Supporting people, strenghtening our societs and our social model'.
SDG 10 among other things, calls for nations to adapt polices and legislation to increase the income of the bottom 40 % of the population and to reduce inequalities based on income, sex, age, disability, race, class, ethnicity, religion and opportunity.
The indicator is also included as main indicator in the Social Scoreboard for the European Pillar of Social Rights. The European Pillar for Social Rights, adopted in 2017, sets out a number of key principles to support fair and well-functioning labour markets and welfare systems. Those principles address topics related to inequality, by tackling both inequality of outcomes (income and wealth inequality) and inequality of opportunities: from wage-setting to social protection systems (including minimum income), gender equality, enabling social services, childcare and support to children, old-age income, health care and access to housing.
While GDP per capita is used to measure the economic performance of a country, gross household disposable income provides an indication of the average material well-being of people. The indicator therefore measures whether the EU Member States are converging in terms of people's incomes.
4.1. Data description
The adjusted gross disposable income of households reflects the purchasing power of households, after taxes and social contributions, and including social benefits in kind. National income values are converted to purchasing power standards (PPS) to adjust for price level differences between countries and allow a meaningful comparison. The disparities indicator for the EU is calculated as the coefficient of variation of these national income data in PPS per capita from Non-financial transactions - annual data (nasa_10_nf_tr). It is a measure of the variety of household income within the EU and Euro area.
4.2. Unit of measure
Coefficient of variation
4.3. Reference Period
Calendar year.
4.4. Accuracy - overall
The indicator is produced according to the high-level quality standards of European Statistics. Details on accuracy can be found in the metadata of the source datasets (see link to related metadata).
4.5. Source data
4.5.1. Source data - Organisation
ESS
4.5.2. Source data - Comment
Data source: European Statistical System (ESS)
Data provider: Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union, based on data reported by the countries.
5.1. Frequency of dissemination
5.1.1. Frequency of dissemination - Grade
Every year5.1.2. Frequency of dissemination - Comment
Indicator is updated annually. Complete and updated ESS data release information can be accessed via Eurostat release calendar.
5.2. Timeliness
5.2.1. Timeliness - Grade
T+1 year5.2.2. Timeliness - Comment
New data points are disseminated within one year after the reference year.
6.1. Reference area
6.1.1. Reference Area - Grade
> 75% EU MS and EU aggregate6.1.2. Reference Area - Comment
Data are presented for EU aggregate and Euro area aggregate.
6.2. Comparability - geographical
6.2.1. Comparability - geographical - Grade
All EU MS6.2.2. Comparability - geographical - Comment
6.3. Coverage - Time
6.3.1. Time Coverage - Grade
> 10 years6.3.2. Time Coverage - Comment
Presented time series start in 2000.
6.4. Comparability - over time
6.4.1. Comparability - over time - Grade
> 4 data points6.4.2. Comparability - over time - Comment
Length of comparable time series without methodological break is longer than 4 data points.
7.1. Dissemination format - Publications
Analysis of indicator is presented in Eurostat's annual monitoring report on Sustainable development in the EU (progress towards SDGs in the EU context).
7.2. Dissemination format - online database
see table sdg_10_20
7.3. Dissemination format - other
Eurostat dedicated section on SDGs.
Copyrights: Eurostat Copyright/Licence Policy is applicable.
