hovedatkomsten

Hovedatkomsten is a term used in economics and personal finance to refer to the primary source of total income for an individual, household, or organization. It denotes the largest single revenue stream that contributes to overall earnings and is typically more stable or predictable than secondary sources.

For individuals, the hovedatkomsten is usually wages or salary from employment, but it can also be the main business income for a self-employed person or the principal payout from a pension. In a household, it is the income source that forms the largest share of the total, while other sources such as rental income, investments, or government transfers are considered supplementary. For a company, the hovedatkomsten refers to the revenue generated from core activities, such as the sale of goods or the provision of services, as distinct from ancillary income like investments, licensing, or one-off gains.

Measurement and identification rely on the share of each income source in total income. If one source constitutes a plurality or majority of total income, it is generally regarded as the hovedatkomsten. There is no universal numerical threshold; the determination can vary by context, program, or policy.

Contextual use and implications include budgeting, financial planning, and, in some jurisdictions, tax and welfare assessments where the main income can influence eligibility or benefit calculations. The term is primarily used in Danish and Norwegian contexts, and in English translations it is commonly rendered as “main income” or “primary income.” Related concepts include active versus passive income and total household income.