FAMILIES in the north have the lowest disposable income out of all regions in the UK according to official figures.
The Office for National Statistics has revealed that each person in Northern Ireland had an estimated £15,913 to spend in 2015 or roughly £306 per week - more than £3,000 less than the UK average.
The calculated figure, known as the gross disposable household income (GDHI) is the amount left after making property payments such as mortgages or rent, and paying insurance policies.
It is a concept that is seen to reflect the 'material welfare' of the household sector.
Despite lagging behind its regional counterparts the north experienced a three per cent growth on the 2014 figure, however the rankings of highest and lowest regions remain unchanged.
In 2015 England was the only country with a GDHI per head above the UK average, but the strongest growth was in Wales at 3.3 per cent. The lowest growth was seen in Scotland (2.7 per cent).
Unsurprisingly those living in London had the highest disposable incomes, listed at £25,293, almost £10,000 more than the Northern Ireland average, while those in Scotland and Wales had £18,315 and £16,341 available respectively to spend or save.
Of the 391 local authorities and council areas in the UK, 359 experienced a growth in GDHI per head between 2014 and 2015, with the greatest increase in the north recorded in Mid Ulster of just over five per cent.
The lowest recorded growth in Northern Ireland was of just one per cent in the Causeway Coast and Glens council area.
Scotland and six English regions contained local authorities that declined in GDHI per head between 2014 and 2015.
