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Improving the Coverage of the Top-Wealth Population in the Socio-Economic Panel (SOEP)

SOEPpapers 1114, 35 S.

Carsten Schröder, Charlotte Bartels, Konstantin Göbler, Markus M. Grabka, Johannes König, Rainer Siegers, Sabine Zinn

2020

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Abstract

We have developed and implemented a new sampling strategy to better represent very wealthy individuals in the German Socio-Economic Panel (SOEP). Our strategy is based on the empirical regularity that the very wealthy have at least part of their assets invested in businesses, and that businesses document shares of relevant shareholders in their books. Our results show that combined analysis of the SOEP and the new sample (SOEP-P) provides meaningful insights into individuals at the top end of the wealth distribution in Germany. The SOEP-P population has about 21 times higher net wealth on average than the regular SOEP population. Comparing millionaires (net worth ≥ 1M Euros) to the rest of the population, a number of noticeable differences emerge. Millionaires differ from the non-rich population with regard to portfolio allocation, demographics, careers, personality, satisfaction with life, and satisfaction with other important life domains.

Sabine Zinn

Vice Director SOEP and Head of the Division Survey Methodology and Management in the German Socio-Economic Panel study Department

Johannes König

Research Associate in the German Socio-Economic Panel study Department

Charlotte Bartels

Research Associate in the German Socio-Economic Panel study Department

Carsten Schröder

Board of Directors SOEP and Division Head Applied Panel Analysis in the German Socio-Economic Panel study Department

Rainer Siegers

Member of Research Infrastructure in the German Socio-Economic Panel study Department

Markus M. Grabka

Board of Directors SOEP & Acting Division Head in the German Socio-Economic Panel study Department



JEL-Classification: D31;D14;C83
Keywords: wealth distribution, oversampling, top wealth, wealth portfolios
Frei zugängliche Version: (econstor)
http://hdl.handle.net/10419/229846

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