"Wealth inequality is at its highest level in modern history."
Evidence8
A Social Science History paper reviewing the Saez-Zucman series reports the top 1% wealth share rose steadily after the mid-1980s and reached a postwar high of 41.8% by 2012.
The paper reexamines long-run U.S. wealth concentration and discusses the Saez-Zucman series based on tax data.
It states that the top 1% wealth share increased steadily after the mid-1980s and reached a postwar high of 41.8% by 2012, indicating very high modern concentration.
The paper reexamines long-run U.S. wealth concentration and discusses the Saez-Zucman series based on tax data.
It states that the top 1% wealth share increased steadily after the mid-1980s and reached a postwar high of 41.8% by 2012, indicating very high...
A Federal Reserve analysis of the 2019 Survey of Consumer Finances reports the top 1% share rose from 25% in 1989 to about 34% in 2016 and stayed near that level in 2019.
The Federal Reserve SCF note tracks wealth shares from 1989 to 2019 using an augmented measure that includes pension wealth.
It reports the top 1% share rising from 25% in 1989 to about 34% in 2016 and remaining near that level in 2019.
The Federal Reserve SCF note tracks wealth shares from 1989 to 2019 using an augmented measure that includes pension wealth.
It reports the top 1% share rising from 25% in 1989 to about 34% in 2016 and remaining near that level in 2019.
The same Fed note reports that in 2019 the top 10% held 71% of U.S. wealth while the bottom 50% held about 2%.
In the 2019 SCF distribution, the top 10% share is 71% and the bottom 50% share is about 2%.
Those figures show extreme concentration in the modern U.S. wealth distribution.
In the 2019 SCF distribution, the top 10% share is 71% and the bottom 50% share is about 2%.
Those figures show extreme concentration in the modern U.S. wealth distribution.
A 2024 Congressional Budget Office report finds the top 10% share rose from 56% in 1989 to 60% in 2022 and the top 1% share from 23% to 27%.
The Congressional Budget Office report on family wealth uses Survey of Consumer Finances data and includes Social Security wealth.
It reports that the top 10% share rose from 56% in 1989 to 60% in 2022, while the top 1% share rose from 23% to 27%.
The Congressional Budget Office report on family wealth uses Survey of Consumer Finances data and includes Social Security wealth.
It reports that the top 10% share rose from 56% in 1989 to 60% in 2022, while the top 1% share rose from 23% to 27%.
CBO reports the top 10% share increased 3.7 percentage points from 1989 to 2022 with Social Security included, and 5.9 points when it is excluded.
The CBO report compares wealth shares with and without Social Security wealth included.
It shows the top 10% share rising 3.7 points on the inclusive measure and 5.9 points on the marketable-wealth measure, indicating stronger concentration when Social Security is excluded.
The CBO report compares wealth shares with and without Social Security wealth included.
It shows the top 10% share rising 3.7 points on the inclusive measure and 5.9 points on the marketable-wealth measure, indicating stronger concentration when Social...
CBO estimates that in 2022 the top 10% held $119.6 trillion in wealth while the bottom half held $12.8 trillion.
The CBO report provides 2022 wealth totals by group.
It lists about $119.6 trillion for the top 10% and $12.8 trillion for the bottom half, showing a very large gap in the modern period.
The CBO report provides 2022 wealth totals by group.
It lists about $119.6 trillion for the top 10% and $12.8 trillion for the bottom half, showing a very large gap in the modern period.
A World Inequality Database summary reports that in 2018 the top 10% owned 77-78% of U.S. wealth and the top 1% owned 38%.
The WID summary of U.S. distributional macroeconomic accounts reports top wealth shares for 2018.
It states that the top 10% owned 77-78% of wealth and the top 1% owned 38%, indicating very high concentration.
The WID summary of U.S. distributional macroeconomic accounts reports top wealth shares for 2018.
It states that the top 10% owned 77-78% of wealth and the top 1% owned 38%, indicating very high concentration.
Saez and Zucman estimate the top 0.1% wealth share rose from 7% in 1978 to 22% in 2012, returning to early-20th-century levels.
Using capitalized income tax data, the NBER working paper reports a rise in the top 0.1% share from 7% in 1978 to 22% in 2012.
The authors describe this as a return to early-20th-century levels of concentration.
Using capitalized income tax data, the NBER working paper reports a rise in the top 0.1% share from 7% in 1978 to 22% in 2012.
The authors describe this as a return to early-20th-century levels of concentration.