This book provides the first study of personal wealth from a global viewpoint. Previous international studies of wealth have focused on the rich countries. Here, the transition countries, emerging economies, and the developing world are examined too. The book looks at wealth inequality and asset composition around the world, showing how these are affected by history, institutions, gender, and incomes. There is a dramatic contrast between rich countries where financial assets are so important and poor countries where farm assets and land still dominate. The book shows that wealth inequality within countries is far higher than that of income, and has been rising recently, most notably in Russia, China, and other transition countries. Concentration among the rich and super-rich has also increased. Worldwide, the top 2% have about 50% of personal wealth, and the top 10% have 85%. In contrast, the bottom half has just 1%. Poor countries are even poorer in wealth than in income terms. But these are just the countries where life is most insecure and personal assets are most needed. The book concludes that steps must be taken to break down barriers and help the poor and middle class in low income countries build up their personal assets to overcome their wealth disadvantage.

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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.