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Using Understanding Society to study intergenerational wealth mobility in the UK

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  • Peter Levell
  • David Sturrock

Abstract

Understanding Society, the UK Household Longitudinal Study enables researchers to track individuals as they grow up and form new households, making it invaluable for studying the intergenerational persistence of outcomes including income, health and wealth. We discuss the advantages and disadvantages of Understanding Society relative to other datasets, and document patterns of attrition as individuals transition from childhood to adulthood. We then use Understanding Society to document the intergenerational persistence of wealth in the UK. We find that the intergenerational persistence of wealth is greater than for earnings, and that only around half of the intergenerational persistence of wealth can be explained by the intergenerational persistence in earnings and education.

Suggested Citation

  • Peter Levell & David Sturrock, 2023. "Using Understanding Society to study intergenerational wealth mobility in the UK," Fiscal Studies, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 44(4), pages 417-432, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:fistud:v:44:y:2023:i:4:p:417-432
    DOI: 10.1111/1475-5890.12352
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    Cited by:

    1. Ricky Kanabar, 2024. "Assortative mating and wealth inequality in Great Britain: evidence from the baby boomer and Gen X cohorts," CEPEO Working Paper Series 24-07, UCL Centre for Education Policy and Equalising Opportunities, revised Nov 2024.
    2. Michaela Benzeval & Thomas F. Crossley & Edith Aguirre, 2023. "A symposium on Understanding Society, the UK Household Longitudinal Study: introduction," Fiscal Studies, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 44(4), pages 317-340, December.

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