

Heir-raising: the boom in inheritance
44 snips Feb 27, 2025
Callum Williams, a Senior economics writer for The Economist, and Joan Hoey, Editorial director of the Democracy Index, dive into the changing landscape of wealth inheritance. They discuss how the baby boomer generation is reshaping wealth dynamics and the revival of cultural attitudes toward money and marriage. Joan highlights the alarming decline in global democratic practices, particularly the rise of authoritarian regimes. Plus, they explore the intriguing health benefits of ice baths, touching on the science of cold therapy.
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The Inheritance Boom
- Inheritance is becoming increasingly important in wealth accumulation.
- Inheritances are now a larger share of national output in many countries.
Drivers of Inheritance Boom
- Three factors drive the inheritance boom: increased wealth, baby boomer demographics, and slower economic growth.
- Slower growth allows wealth to accumulate faster than income.
Marrying for Money
- Marrying into wealth may be more lucrative than hard work, echoing Jane Austen's era.
- The top 1% of inheritors in France now have higher incomes than the top 1% of workers.