hogeinkomens

Hogeinkomens is a term used in Dutch-language discourse to refer to households or individuals with high income. The standard Dutch phrase is usually written as two words, “hoge inkomens,” but the concatenated form can appear in headlines, databases, or user interfaces. The concept is commonly invoked in discussions of income distribution, taxation, and welfare policy.

Etymology and interpretation: The word stems from the Dutch words “hoge” meaning high and “inkomens” meaning incomes. In public discussion, it typically denotes the upper end of the income distribution, but the exact thresholds differ by country, dataset, and purpose. Some sources define hoge inkomens by percentile (for example the top 10%, 5%, or 1%), while others use absolute income cutoffs.

Usage: In policy research, journalism, and government statistics, the term helps identify the group used to analyze tax burdens, redistributive effects, and consumption patterns. Because there is no universal, formal definition, different studies may label the same group differently or use alternative cutoffs, which can affect comparability across analyses.

Measurement and limitations: Classification as hogeinkomens can depend on whether gross or net income is used, whether household size is accounted for, and how cost of living adjustments are applied. Cross-country comparisons face challenges due to divergent tax systems, benefit structures, and data definitions.

See also: Income inequality, Tax policy, Top income decile, OECD data, Netherlands statistics agency.