Evidence from the Dead: New Estimates of Wealth Inequality based on the Distribution of Estates

Pré-publication, Document de travail: This paper examines the estimation of the distribution of wealth using estates left at death. We establish formal conditions for implementing a simplified version of the classic estate multiplier method, relying solely on minimal information about estates and mortality. These conditions are empirically validated, and the simplified approach is applied to produce new long-run top wealth share series for Belgium, Japan, and South Africa, where estate data have previously been underutilized. This method holds potential for expanding the range of countries and years in which wealth concentration can be estimated, especially where estate data exist but the standard method with heterogeneous multipliers is inapplicable.

Auteur(s)

Facundo Alvaredo, Yonatan Berman, Salvatore Morelli

Date de publication
  • 2025
Mots-clés JEL
D30 H20
Mots-clés
  • Wealth inequality
  • Estate tax
  • Mortality rates
  • Public economics
Référence interne
  • World Inequality Lab Working Papers n°2025-02
Version
  • 1