Defra has published a new statistical release providing insight into the earnings of farming households in England during the 2024/25 survey year.
The new Farm Household Earnings measure combines the household’s share of private drawings from the farm, wages paid by the farm to household members and any income earned away from the farm.
The findings are based on information collected through the Farm Business Survey (FBS) and will help Defra monitor the experiences of farming households during the Agricultural Transition period.
Key findings
In 2024/25:
- Median Farm Household Earnings were £48,400.
- When adjusted to allow comparison between households of different sizes and compositions, this was equivalent to £29,800 for a single adult.
- Equivalised Farm Household Earnings were highest on general cropping farms at £41,100 and lowest on lowland grazing livestock farms at £24,300.
- 73% of primary farm households had some form of off-farm income.
- Median off-farm income was £12,500, equivalent to £8,300 for a single adult.
- Pensions and investments were the most common sources of off-farm income, reported by 28% and 26% of farms respectively.
- Green energy technologies were the least commonly reported source of off-farm income, at 3% of farms.
Understanding household earnings
Data on wages paid by the farm to household members was collected by the FBS for the first time in 2024/25. This means that the Farm Household Earnings measure cannot be calculated for earlier years.
The figures are presented as medians, representing the middle value across the households included in the analysis. This provides a better indication of a typical farming household where earnings are unevenly distributed.
The results are also shown in equivalised terms. This adjusts household earnings to the equivalent income of a single adult, enabling fairer comparisons between households of different sizes and compositions.
The release also provides further breakdowns by farm type, farm business size, tenure and economic performance.
Farmers’ contributions make this research possible
The findings are made possible by farmers participating in the Farm Business Survey and sharing detailed information with our Research Officers.
Their contribution helps build a clearer understanding of the economic circumstances of farming households, supports agricultural research and provides evidence to inform future policy.
We would like to thank every farmer who takes part in the survey for their time and continued support.
Read the full Farm Household Earnings publication on GOV.UK.