Unfortunately, no negative interest rates, Funked.
Tilt is absolutely right. There is no common basis for direct comparisons of 'disposable income' vs. debt without substantial manipulation of numbers.
The component of mortagages is indeed skewing things due to accounting/tax treatment, among a host of other issues in determining 'disposable income.' For example:
The average yearly income for the
head of a Japanese household is 7,400,000 yen (~US$ 70,000 at current exchange rate).
1. Contrary to popular misinformation, Japanese income tax rate is substantially
less than that of the U.S. or Europe.
2. The out of pocket expense for medical care is extraordinarily low compared to the West. A visit to the doctor will cost only about $10 and a filling at the dentist will cost about the same.
Medical insurance costs less than equivalent coverage in the West. (And look at the income difference...)
3. There is no direct burden on the employee for transportation costs. The company pays the cost for the employee to get to and from work. (Just one of many, many ways that disposable income gets skewed)
26Mbps Adsl costs about US$25 per month and 100Mbps fiber is about US$60 per month. Even cigarettes are 1/3 the cost of Europe or the U.S. An AH subscription can be paid with a couple of coins...
There are so many variables in 'disposable income' that direct comparisons are fruitless.
