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Changes in wealth distribution in Italy (2002-2012) and who gained from the Great Recession

Author

Listed:
  • Ignazio Drudi

    (University of Bologna)

  • Giorgio Tassinari

    (University of Bologna)

  • Fabrizio Alboni

    (Res. Coop. Bologna)

Abstract

The aim of the paper is to analyze changes in families’ assets between 2002 and 2012; to measure changes in the degree of inequality; and to identify which social groups (or classes) have gained from these changes, using the decomposition procedure of the Gini concentration ratio proposed by Dagum (1997). The paper introduces two important methodological innovations. First, the definition of household wealth employed here is net wealth minus the value of the household’s home (if owned). Second, we develop a new method for computing the Gini coefficient in presence of negative values, and for decomposing it.

Suggested Citation

  • Ignazio Drudi & Giorgio Tassinari & Fabrizio Alboni, 2017. "Changes in wealth distribution in Italy (2002-2012) and who gained from the Great Recession," PSL Quarterly Review, Economia civile, vol. 70(281), pages 129-153.
  • Handle: RePEc:psl:pslqrr:2017:22
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Inequality; Family assets; Net wealth; Gini decomposition;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D10 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - General
    • D31 - Microeconomics - - Distribution - - - Personal Income and Wealth Distribution

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