Title: Teaching wealth inequality in the Eurozone: an outline based on HFCS data

Authors: Matthias Schnetzer

Addresses: Department of Economics, Austrian Federal Chamber of Labour, Prinz-Eugen-Straße 20-22, 1040 Vienna, Austria; Department of Economics, Vienna University of Economics and Business, Welthandelsplatz 1, 1020 Vienna, Austria

Abstract: This paper presents an outline for an undergraduate course on wealth inequality with nine learning goals. Based on empirical evidence from the Eurozone Household Finance and Consumption Survey 2010 (HFCS), wealth inequality is introduced as a distinct field of study. The outline concisely illustrates the challenges of empirical research when collecting wealth data and measuring wealth inequality. By reference to recent literature, particular attention is paid to intergenerational wealth transfers. Finally, the paper presents several tools for interactive teaching.

Keywords: wealth distribution; wealth inequality; inheritances; teaching inequality; interactive teaching; economics education; empirical economics; Household Finance and Consumption Survey; HFCS; wealth survey; Eurozone.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPEE.2018.092239

International Journal of Pluralism and Economics Education, 2018 Vol.9 No.1/2, pp.168 - 191

Received: 08 Aug 2017
Accepted: 08 Feb 2018
Published online: 11 Jun 2018 *

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