Ethnic Wealth Inequality in England and Wales, 1858-2018

Neil Cummins

No 19398, CEPR Discussion Papers from C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers

Abstract: Using surnames from the universe of death and wealth-at-death records in England and Wales, from 1858 to 2018, I document the emergence of a modern ethnic wealth gradient. Historically, Non-British ethnicities have average wealth 2-5 times that of the English. However, this premium has decreased over the 20th century. By 1980, non-British ethnicities have no advantage over the British. However, this masks considerable heterogeneity within the non-British ethnicity group. Europeans typically die significantly richer than the English whereas the Pakistani and Swedish die significantly poorer. Some groups always have lower wealth. The Irish, have wealth around 50% of the average English throughout. Surprisingly, the most egalitarian measure of wealth is representation within the top 1%. Most ethnicities have an equal, or greater, representation in the top 1% than the English, 1980-1992. Despite large differences in average wealth between ethnicities, the vast majority of variation, 97.5% is between individuals.

Keywords: Wealth inequality; Racial inequality; Economic history (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: N00 N33 N34 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024-08
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Related works:
Journal Article: Ethnic wealth inequality in England and Wales, 1858–2018 (2024)
Working Paper: Ethnic wealth inequality in England and Wales, 1858-2018 (2024)
Working Paper: Ethnic wealth inequality in England and Wales, 1858-2018 (2024)
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