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Looking for the Missing Rich: Tracing the Top Tail of the Wealth Distribution

Author

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  • Stefan Bach
  • Andreas Thiemann
  • Aline Zucco

Abstract

We analyze the top tail of the wealth distribution in Germany, France, and Spain based on the first and second wave of the Household Finance and Consumption Survey (HFCS). Since top wealth is likely to be underrepresented in household surveys, we integrate big fortunes from rich lists, estimate a Pareto distribution, and impute the missing rich. In addition to the Forbes list, we rely on national rich lists since they represent a broader base for the big fortunes in those countries. As a result, the top percentile share of household wealth in Germany jumps up from 24 percent to 31 percent in the first and from 24 to 33 percent in the second wave after top wealth imputation. For France and Spain, we find only a small effect of the imputation since rich households are better captured in the survey.

Suggested Citation

  • Stefan Bach & Andreas Thiemann & Aline Zucco, 2018. "Looking for the Missing Rich: Tracing the Top Tail of the Wealth Distribution," Discussion Papers of DIW Berlin 1717, DIW Berlin, German Institute for Economic Research.
    • Handle: RePEc:diw:diwwpp:dp1717
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Wealth distribution; missing rich; Pareto distribution; HFCS;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D31 - Microeconomics - - Distribution - - - Personal Income and Wealth Distribution
    • C46 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods: Special Topics - - - Specific Distributions
    • C81 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Data Collection and Data Estimation Methodology; Computer Programs - - - Methodology for Collecting, Estimating, and Organizing Microeconomic Data; Data Access

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