Personal Wealth from a Global Perspective

There is great media fascination in the activities and lifestyles of the super-rich. But personal wealth is also important for those of more modest means as a store of potential consumption, as a cushion against emergencies, and as collateral for business and investment loans. This book is the first global study of household assets and debts. It documents not only the level, distribution, and trend of wealth holdings in rich nations, but also addresses developing countries like China and India. The situation in Latin America and Africa is given attention along with the experiences of Russia and other transition countries. Components of household wealth like financial assets, land, and property are examined, as well as the gender division. Worldwide, it is estimated that the richest 2% own more than half of total global wealth, and that this elite group resides almost exclusively in North America, Western Europe, and rich Asia-Pacific countries.

James B. Davies received his BA from the University of Manitoba (1973) and his Ph.D. from the London School of Economics (1979). A faculty member at the University of Western Ontario in London, Canada, since 1977, he served as Chair of the Department of Economics from 1992 to 2001. Davies is the author of two books and numerous articles in academic journals and scholarly volumes. He has advised the Ontario and Canadian governments as well as the World Bank. Currently the managing editor of Canadian Public Policy, Davies has served for the last three years as director of the UNU-WIDER research project Personal Assets from a Global Perspective.