Melanie Häner

Melanie Häner-Müller, an economist leading the social policy division at the Institute for Swiss Economic Policy, discusses the realities of wealth and social mobility in Switzerland. She explains how social mobility is defined and measured, highlighting the influence of family background. The conversation explores Switzerland's impressive income mobility contrasted with lagging educational mobility. Melanie also compares Switzerland to other countries like Germany and the U.S., shedding light on historical trends and the complexities of contemporary wealth distribution.

In this discussion, economist Melanie Häner-Müller, head of Social Policy at the Institute for Swiss Economic Policy, dives deep into wealth and social mobility in Switzerland. She explains why income inequality has remained stable for over a century, contrasting public perception with reality. The talk highlights how personal choices, like marriage, can influence long-term inequality and the unique factors that contribute to Switzerland's consistently low income disparity. Melanie also addresses the growing wealth gap and its implications for social policies.