Inequalities and the individualization of wealth

Nicolas Frémeaux and Marion Leturcq

Journal of Public Economics, 2020, vol. 184, issue C

Abstract: We document the individualization of wealth in France between 1998 and 2015, using precise survey data on the property titles of assets. It is characterized by an increase in the share of wealth which is individualized by spouses (vs. jointly owned) and by an increase in the share of wealth held by singles. We show that the usual measures of wealth inequality, which allocate the same share of household wealth to each spouse or partner, overestimate the share of wealth held by women. This results in an underestimation of both the level and the growth of a) wealth inequality between individuals and b) the gender wealth gap. We argue for better consideration of the ownership status and intra-household distribution of wealth in the measurement of wealth inequality.

Keywords: Wealth; Individualization; Wealth inequality; Gender wealth gap; Matrimonial property regime; France (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: D31 E21 J12 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (21)

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Working Paper: Inequalities and the individualization of wealth (2020)
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:pubeco:v:184:y:2020:i:c:s0047272720300098

DOI: 10.1016/j.jpubeco.2020.104145

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