Slight improvement in Westmeath disposable income

New figures from the Central Statistics Office reveal that although disposable income in Ireland has risen, Westmeath remains below the national average when measured on a per-person basis, and has a relatively high reliance on social benefits compared with some counties.

Disposable income is calculated as primary income (mainly wages and self-employment income) plus social benefits (such as State welfare and pensions), minus taxes and social insurance contributions.

While Dublin’s disposable income per person is €33,889, the figure for Westmeath is €29,079. The national average is €30,139.

The County Incomes and GDP 2024 report, published last week, provides detailed estimates of primary income (earnings and returns), social benefits, taxes and the resulting disposable income for all Irish counties.

The midland region (Laois, Longford, Offaly, and Westmeath) continued to have the lowest levels of disposable income in 2024. The income of this region accounted for €8.8 billion overall and was 14.5% below the national average per person. Westmeath’s disposable income per person was estimated at 3.5% below the state average in 2024, an improvement on its 2023 position but still firmly in the lower half of the national rankings.

By contrast, the average disposable income in Dublin, at 12% above the national figure, was €33,889, followed by Limerick at €30,879 and Cork at €30,748. Longford residents, along with those from Roscommon, had disposable income more than 18% below the national average and Longford’s average income registered at €23,725. While primary income in Westmeath is relatively strong compared with some peers, it has yet to translate into a higher disposable income position.

The CSO examined the percentage of income per county gained by employees from foreign-owned multinational enterprises, and found Westmeath’s figure to be 29.3 per cent.