Genetic Endowments and Wealth Inequality

S-Tier
Journal: Journal of Political Economy
Year: 2020
Volume: 128
Issue: 4
Pages: 1474 - 1522

Score contribution per author:

2.681 = (α=2.01 / 3 authors) × 4.0x S-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

We show that genetic endowments linked to educational attainment strongly and robustly predict wealth at retirement. The estimated relationship is not fully explained by flexibly controlling for education and labor income. We therefore investigate a host of additional mechanisms that could account for the gene-wealth gradient, including inheritances, mortality, risk preferences, portfolio decisions, beliefs about the probabilities of macroeconomic events, and planning horizons. We provide evidence that genetic endowments related to human capital accumulation are associated with wealth not only through educational attainment and labor income but also through a facility with complex financial decision-making.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:ucp:jpolec:doi:10.1086/705415
Journal Field
General
Author Count
3
Added to Database
2026-01-24