What Does Net Worth of the 1% Mean?
The top 1% refers to households with the highest share of wealth in a given economy. Their net worth is the total value of assets minus liabilities, including real estate, investments, and business interests.
How Is the Net Worth of the 1% Measured?
Researchers use household surveys, tax data, and central bank reports to estimate wealth distribution. The Federal Reserve’s Survey of Consumer Finances and the World Inequality Database are common sources for these estimates.
How Does the Net Worth of the 1% Compare to the Rest?
The top 1% typically hold a large share of total wealth compared to the bottom 90%. In the United States, the Federal Reserve’s Distributional Financial Accounts show that the top 1% own a disproportionate share of financial assets and business equity.
