From Soviets to oligarchs: inequality and property in Russia 1905-2016

Filip Novokmet (), Thomas Piketty and Gabriel Zucman
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Filip Novokmet: Paris School of Economics

The Journal of Economic Inequality, 2018, vol. 16, issue 2, No 4, 189-223

Abstract: Abstract This paper combines national accounts, survey, wealth and fiscal data (including recently released tax data on high-income taxpayers) in order to provide consistent series on the accumulation and distribution of income and wealth in Russia from the Soviet period until the present day. We find that official survey-based measures vastly under-estimate the rise of inequality since 1990. According to our benchmark estimates, top income shares are now similar to (or higher than) the levels observed in the United States. We also find that inequality has increased substantially more in Russia than in China and other ex-communist countries in Eastern Europe. We relate this finding to the specific transition strategy followed in Russia. According to our benchmark estimates, the wealth held offshore by rich Russians is about three times larger than official net foreign reserves, and is comparable in magnitude to total household financial assets held in Russia.

Keywords: Income and wealth distribution; National income and wealth accounts; Russia (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (100)

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Journal Article: From Soviets to oligarchs: inequality and property in Russia 1905-2016 (2018)
Working Paper: From Soviets to oligarchs: inequality and property in Russia 1905-2016 (2018)
Working Paper: From Soviets to oligarchs: inequality and property in Russia 1905-2016 (2018)
Working Paper: From Soviets to Oligarchs: Inequality and Property in Russia 1905-2016 (2017)
Working Paper: From Soviets to Oligarchs: Inequality and Property in Russia, 1905-2016 (2017)
Working Paper: From Soviets to Oligarchs: Inequality and Property in Russia, 1905-2016 (2017)
Working Paper: From Soviets to Oligarchs: Inequality and Property in Russia, 1905-2016 (2017)
Working Paper: From Soviets to Oligarchs: Inequality and Property in Russia, 1905-2016 (2017)
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DOI: 10.1007/s10888-018-9383-0

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