In 2013, the average U.S. household had $43,689 in disposable income, which was the highest of all nations in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. The next closest was Switzerland, with $36,620 per household, or 16% below the USA. Sweden had an average of $30,124 per household, or 31% below the USA. Denmark had an average of $27,796 per household, or 36% below the USA. Household disposable income is a key measure of a nation's standard of living, because it begins with income, subtracts taxes, and adds in social benefits from government and other sources.