Affiliation:
1. Ministry of Economy and Finance-Department of Finance , Italy
2. PSE/EHESS, France, III/LSE, UK and IIEP-UBA-Conicet , Argentina
3. Roma Tre University-Law Department , Italy
Abstract
Abstract
We estimate the distribution of wealth in Italy between 1995 and 2016 using a novel source of inheritance tax files, combined with surveys and national accounts. We find that the level of wealth concentration is in line with other European countries; however, its time trend appears more in line with the US, showing a significant increase over the period studied. The country exhibits one of the greatest declines in the wealth share of the bottom 50%. The paper also shows that age plays a marginal role in explaining wealth concentration. Changes in savings, instead, are the predominant force behind the increase in wealth inequality, even at the top. Equity prices also account for a large share of wealth growth above the 99th percentile, whereas changes in house prices play only a minor role. Finally, we document the growing concentration of life-time wealth transfers, and their increasingly favorable tax treatment.
Publisher
Oxford University Press (OUP)
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