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The Distribution of National Income in Germany, 1992-2019

Author

Listed:
  • Stefan Bach
  • Charlotte Bartels
  • Theresa Neef

Abstract

This paper estimates and analyzes the distribution and composition of pre-tax national income in Germany since reunification, combining personal income tax returns, household survey data, and national accounts. We find that pre-tax national income inequality has increased since the 1990s, though to a lesser extent than suggested by previous studies. Our results draw parallels in top income structure and concentration to the United States: Half of the top 1% earners are non-corporate business owners in labor-intensive professions contrasting with corporate top incomes in France. Also the concentration of pre-tax national income in Germany is similar to the United States and higher than in France.

Suggested Citation

  • Stefan Bach & Charlotte Bartels & Theresa Neef, 2025. "The Distribution of National Income in Germany, 1992-2019," SOEPpapers on Multidisciplinary Panel Data Research 1227, DIW Berlin, The German Socio-Economic Panel (SOEP).
    • Handle: RePEc:diw:diwsop:diw_sp1227
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    File URL: https://www.diw.de/documents/publikationen/73/diw_01.c.973053.de/diw_sp1227.pdf
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • D31 - Microeconomics - - Distribution - - - Personal Income and Wealth Distribution
    • E01 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - General - - - Measurement and Data on National Income and Product Accounts and Wealth; Environmental Accounts
    • H2 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue
    • H5 - Public Economics - - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies
    • J3 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs

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