Talk:Median income

The table should be expanded to show the year each data point was taken (affects comparability) and to include more countries. -- Beland 02:02, 17 February 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Yes it should, I added the years where possible. Signature^brendel 02:28, 17 February 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Somehow the references got deleted along the way. I don't know how to undo changes, but they should be put back. At least for New Zealand, the reference was very accurate. Uayebforever 12:49, 21 March 2007 (UTC)[reply]

There may be a better resource for the PPP conversions through the IMF 2007 April data. Inflation differences in the US have really allowed this to change significantly since the 2003 OECD numbers. [1]

If you revisit the OECD page, there are conversions for 2006, although I don't doubt the IMF is even better. Also, how do you edit that table? I was going to put in the 2006 numbers but I couldn't figure it out. --Jmcdon10 20:12, 21 September 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Someone made a criticism of ppp which was deleted. They were claiming that quality of life in France is under represented by the OECD figures because education and health care are state funded. The reason for the deletion is that median household income is based on GROSS income (pre-tax), it doesn't distinquish whether the payment route is public or private. Countries with large public services also have high taxes. Their take-home income is lower, but they are compensated with more social services. Badenoch (talk) 19:40, 4 April 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Well, there is some truth to that argument owing to the multiplier effect of government spending. The benefits a person derives from the welfare state may well outweigh the cost they pay in taxes. Yet those statements are irrelevant here, since they can be used for a a general (and valid) criticism of using monetary income as a sole proxy for social welfare, but not the use of PPP in currency conversions. The comments were misplaced and the arugment badly crafted - so deletion was justified IMHO. Regards, Signature^brendel 03:57, 5 April 2008 (UTC)[reply]

I was hoping to find an article addressing all countries. This article is tied to the US economy. Perhaps it should be split into two articles. US median incomes and International median incomes. Also, hopefully expanded for all countries. 172.167.56.35 (talk) 20:10, 18 April 2008 (UTC)[reply]

The U.S. is included here as an example, because data for it so readily available. I did create a seperate article, Household income in the United States about two years ago. Signature^brendel 01:19, 19 April 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Why was Switzerland adjusted by taxes and health insurance when no one else was? This seems to be nothing more than an attempt by Americans to boost their rating. Why not adjust America to taxes and health insurance as well?65.0.83.158 (talk) 01:55, 1 December 2009 (UTC)[reply]

I adjusted to Swiss figures because unlike other developed countries, Switzerland has a private healthcare system. It would be unjust to compare French medium income versus the Swiss one as the French have very little health-related expenses. It is by no mean politically motivated. I would have loved to be able to have a comparable figure for the US but the US does not have a mandatory healthcare system. In Switzerland, health insurance is mandatory and expensive compared to other European nations. I felt it was appropriate to adjust the figures accordingly. User:Frichmon —Preceding undated comment added 22:36, 3 December 2009 (UTC).[reply]

Yes, well, America has the most expensive healthcare in the entire world (although we are probably about to switch to a healthcare system similar to Switzerlands). Are all the others adjusted to taxes as well? 65.0.85.149 (talk) 21:54, 26 December 2009 (UTC)[reply]

I agree that this adjustment (both for health care costs and taxes) is peculiar. Moreover, Swiss taxes vary considerably by canton (in Zug eg they are close to nothing, whereas in Geneva they are higher than in neighboring france). What rate was used? And why was this adjustment not made for (say) Sweden?

I know the global median is $5,000 a year where could that go in. In thialand its $8,000 Romania $10,000 china $7,000 India $3,000--J intela (talk) 00:54, 16 September 2008 (UTC)[reply]

It should also note the difference between individual income vs. household income and the effect of the reduction in size of households —Preceding unsigned comment added by 12.187.203.208 (talk) 03:20, 21 September 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Economist Thomas Sowell made this argument just after 20 second to the 2 minute mark in this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WrtoSx-NbLQ&feature=related

He said whenever someone quotes household income, "they are trying to make things look bad" —Preceding unsigned comment added by 74.65.172.165 (talk) 23:24, 2 December 2009 (UTC)[reply]

I agree with above. Beause of the distinct difference between family and individual income these should be a separate article. I hope more international facts would be added to both. ```` —Preceding unsigned comment added by 172.162.127.205 (talk) 21:25, 1 May 2009 (UTC)[reply]