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The Evolution of Wealth Inequality in Canada, 1984-1999

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  • Drolet, Marie
  • Zhang, Xuelin
  • Morissette, Rene

Abstract

Using data from the Assets and Debts Survey of 1984 and the Survey of Financial Security of 1999, we document the evolution of wealth inequality in Canada between 1984 and 1999. Our main findings are as follows: 1) wealth inequality has increased between 1984 and 1999, 2) the growth in wealth inequality has been associated with substantial declines in real average and median wealth for young couples with children and recent immigrants, 3) real median wealth and real average wealth rose much more among family units whose major income recipient is a university graduate than among other family units, 4) real median and average wealth fell among family units whose major income recipient is aged 25-34 and increased among those whose major income recipient is aged 55 and over, 5) the aging of the Canadian population over the 1984-1999 period has tended to reduce wealth inequality, 6) diverging changes in permanent income do not explain a substantial portion of the growing gap between low-wealth and high-wealth family units. Factors that may have contributed to rising wealth inequality - which cannot be quantified with existing data sets - include differences in the growth of inheritances, inter vivos transfers, rates of return on savings and number of years worked full-time. In particular, rates of return on savings may have increased more for wealthy family units than for their poorer counterparts as a result of the booming stock market during the 1990s.

Suggested Citation

  • Drolet, Marie & Zhang, Xuelin & Morissette, Rene, 2002. "The Evolution of Wealth Inequality in Canada, 1984-1999," Analytical Studies Branch Research Paper Series 2002187e, Statistics Canada, Analytical Studies Branch.
    • Handle: RePEc:stc:stcp3e:2002187e
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    8. Wolfson, Michael & Murphy, Brian B, 1998. "New Views on Inequality Trends in Canada and the United States," Analytical Studies Branch Research Paper Series 1998124e, Statistics Canada, Analytical Studies Branch.
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    Cited by:

    1. Alan Walks, 2016. "Homeownership, Asset-based Welfare and the Neighbourhood Segregation of Wealth," Housing Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 31(7), pages 755-784, October.
    2. Matthew Brzozowski & Martin Gervais & Paul Klein & Michio Suzuki, 2009. "Dimensions of Inequality in Canada," IMES Discussion Paper Series 09-E-02, Institute for Monetary and Economic Studies, Bank of Japan.
    3. Li, Ping-Cheng & Hsu, Shih-Hsun, 2001. "Resolving Taiwan's Nuclear Power Puzzle: The Economic Impacts of Terminating the Fourth Nuclear Power Plant," Conference papers 330932, Purdue University, Center for Global Trade Analysis, Global Trade Analysis Project.
    4. Haan, Michael, 2005. "The Decline of the Immigrant Homeownership Advantage: Life-cycle, Declining Fortunes and Changing Housing Careers in Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver, 1981-2001," Analytical Studies Branch Research Paper Series 2005238e, Statistics Canada, Analytical Studies Branch.
    5. Brozozowski, Matthew & Gervais, Martin & Klein, Paul & Suzuki, Micho, 2009. "Consumption, income, and wealth inequality in Canada," Discussion Paper Series In Economics And Econometrics 0904, Economics Division, School of Social Sciences, University of Southampton.
    6. Francisco Azpitarte, 2008. "The Household Wealth Distribution in Spain: The Role of Housing and Financial Wealth," Working Papers 83, ECINEQ, Society for the Study of Economic Inequality.

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