What is the difference between income and wealth?

Income and wealth are related concepts in economics, but they represent different aspects of an individual's or household's financial situation

Income:

1. Definition: Income refers to the money or earnings that an individual or household receives regularly over a specific period, typically on a recurring basis, such as monthly or annually. It represents the flow of money into one's finances during a specified time frame.
2. Nature: Income is a measure of the resources generated or earned through various sources, including employment, investments, rental income, business profits, and government transfers (e.g., wages, salaries, dividends, interest, and social security benefits).
3. Examples:
   • Salary: Monthly earnings from employment, such as a person receiving a £3,000 monthly salary.
   • Dividend Income: Quarterly payments received by an investor from their stock holdings, totalling £1,200 per quarter.
   • Rental Income: Monthly rent collected by a property owner, amounting to £$1,500 per month.
4. Renewable: Income is typically renewable and recurring. It is expected to continue over time as long as the income sources (e.g., employment, investments) remain active.
5. Purpose: Income is primarily used to cover day-to-day expenses, pay bills, save, invest, and improve one's standard of living. It represents the financial inflow that sustains a person's or household's lifestyle.

Wealth:

1. Definition: Wealth, also known as net worth, is the total value of an individual's or household's assets (what they own) minus their liabilities (what they owe). It represents the stock of assets accumulated over time and is a snapshot of a person's financial situation at a particular point in time.
2. Nature: Wealth includes a wide range of assets, such as savings, investments, real estate, stocks, bonds, retirement accounts, business ownership, personal property, and other valuable possessions.
3. Examples:
   • Savings and Investments: The combined value of a person's savings accounts, stocks, and bonds, totalling £500,000.
   • Real Estate: The estimated market value of a person's primary residence and rental properties, totalling £1.5 million.
   • Pension Accounts: The value of a person's occupational pension pot.
4. Static: Wealth is a static measure that reflects a moment in time. It can change over time due to changes in asset values, debt repayment, or accumulation of assets.
5. Purpose: Wealth represents the accumulation of assets and serves as a financial cushion, providing security, opportunities for investment, and the ability to generate income through asset ownership (e.g., rental income, dividends, capital gains).

In a nutshell:

• Income refers to the money an individual earns through work, investments, or other sources. It's often measured over a period of time (e.g., weekly, monthly, yearly).
• Wealth, on the other hand, refers to the total value of a person's assets (such as property, investments, and cash) minus their debts. It's a measure of net worth, not just income.
• Wealth can accumulate over time, while income is earned on a more regular basis.