Mean-Field Analytical Solution of the Mesa Boltzmann Wealth Model

Jiyuan Lyu

Papers from arXiv.org

Abstract: The Boltzmann wealth model provided by the Mesa framework is a classic example in agent-based modeling, yet its statistical properties are typically analyzed only through numerical simulation. This paper studies a mean-field version of the model, replacing local interactions with global random matching and adopting a synchronous update scheme. By establishing a mean-field master equation for the wealth distribution and employing the probability generating function method, we obtain a closed-form expression for the steady-state generating function, and analytically determine the model parameters. We further derive the variance, Gini coefficient, and tail asymptotic behavior of the steady-state wealth distribution. Numerical simulations of the corresponding mean-field agent-based model agree well with the theoretical predictions. This paper provides an analytical benchmark for this mean-field model, which can serve as a reference for theoretical analysis and result validation in related agent-based simulations.

Date: 2025-11, Revised 2026-07
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-hme
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