Abstract
The study examines the trend of objective and perceived wealth inequality in Hong Kong from 2002 to 2024 based on official statistics and territory-wide telephone survey data. Compared with 20 years ago, objective wealth inequality in Hong Kong has increased to a certain extent, in term of household income rather than personal income. The substantial increase in residential property prices is a main cause of the rise in household income inequality. Previous research argued that personal socioeconomic background is correlated with perceived wealth inequality. The study supports this argument and further shows that the effect of personal socioeconomic background on perceived wealth inequality has changed in the past 20 years. Although in general the perceived wealth inequality has not rose significantly in Hong Kong, it has increased significantly for young, highly educated and high-income people. The level of perceived wealth inequality of these groups was the lowest 20 years ago but now their perceived wealth inequality is the highest ones.
Presenters
Kevin WongResearch Fellow and Associate Director of Telephone Survey Research Laboratory, Hong Kong Institute of Asia-Pacific Studies, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Victor Zheng
Assistant Director, Hong Kong Institute of Asia-Pacific Studies (HKIAPS)
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
Wealth Inequality, Hong Kong, Public opinion, Capital share
