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Wealth Inequality: A Hybrid Approach Toward Multidimensional Distributional National Accounts In Europe

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  • Sofie R. Waltl

Abstract

This article proposes a practically feasible framework for compiling Multidimensional Distributional National Accounts (MDINAs) serving two functions: a comprehensive measure of (components of) net worth and their distribution, and a link to macroeconomic statistics. I break down 12 components of marketable wealth by wealth and income groups, and three functions of wealth for Austria, Finland, France, Germany, and Spain. MDINA complemented by summary indicators reveal large heterogeneity in the degree of inequality, and shed light on differences in the structure of wealth portfolios across and within countries. I combine data collected in the largely harmonized HFCS survey and adjust for remaining differences in survey modes regarding the treatment of the top tail using (Generalized) Pareto models estimated from rich lists or top wealth shares derived from tax data and leaked information on wealth held in offshore tax havens. Measured inequality increases strongest in countries where surveys refrain from appropriate top‐tail corrections.

Suggested Citation

  • Sofie R. Waltl, 2022. "Wealth Inequality: A Hybrid Approach Toward Multidimensional Distributional National Accounts In Europe," Review of Income and Wealth, International Association for Research in Income and Wealth, vol. 68(1), pages 74-108, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:revinw:v:68:y:2022:i:1:p:74-108
    DOI: 10.1111/roiw.12519
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    Cited by:

    1. Thomas Webb & Arthur Apostel & Milena Buchs & Richard Barnthaler, 2026. "Wealth Taxes and Post-Growth: How different tax designs align with different goals," Papers 2603.17786, arXiv.org.
    2. Wildauer, Rafael & Heck, Ines & Kapeller, Jakob, 2023. "Was Pareto right? Is the distribution of wealth thick-tailed?," Greenwich Papers in Political Economy 38597, University of Greenwich, Greenwich Political Economy Research Centre.
    3. Engel, Janina & Ohlwerter, Dennis & Scherer, Matthias, 2023. "On the estimation of distributional household wealth: addressing under-reporting via optimization problems with invariant Gini coefficient," Working Paper Series 2865, European Central Bank.
    4. Sofie R. Waltl & Anthony Lepinteur, 2025. "Tracking Home-Owners’ Sentiments: Subjective Indices and Convergent Validity," The Journal of Real Estate Finance and Economics, Springer, vol. 70(4), pages 706-734, May.
    5. Daniel Kolář, 2025. "Wealth survey calibration using income tax data," International Tax and Public Finance, Springer;International Institute of Public Finance, vol. 32(3), pages 741-781, June.
    6. Matteo Dalle Luche & Demetrio Guzzardi & Elisa Palagi & Andrea Roventini & Alessandro Santoro, 2024. "Tackling the regressivity of the Italian tax system: An optimal taxation framework with heterogeneous returns to capital," World Inequality Lab Working Papers halshs-04753529, HAL.
    7. M. Denisa Naidin & Sofie R. Waltl & Michael H. Ziegelmeyer, 2025. "Objective Housing Sales and Rent Prices in Representative Household Surveys: Implications for Wealth, Inequality, Housing Market, and Affordability Statistics," Review of Income and Wealth, International Association for Research in Income and Wealth, vol. 71(1), February.

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