From Soviets to Oligarchs: Inequality and Property in Russia, 1905-2016

Filip Novokmet, Thomas Piketty and Gabriel Zucman

No 23712, NBER Working Papers from National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc

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.

JEL-codes: D31 E01 E21 O52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2017-08
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-cis, nep-his, nep-mac and nep-tra
Note: DEV EFG PE POL
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Published as Filip Novokmet & Thomas Piketty & Gabriel Zucman, 2018. "From Soviets to oligarchs: inequality and property in Russia 1905-2016," The Journal of Economic Inequality, vol 16(2), pages 189-223.

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Related works:
Journal Article: From Soviets to oligarchs: inequality and property in Russia 1905-2016 (2018)
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)
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