I'm interested in how shrinking populations may impact generational wealth.
In past generations, where it was common for a successful person to have six, seven, or eight heirs, even a large inheritance was quickly dissipated over a few generations.
In a shrinking population, the opposite is true. A single child often inherits the wealth of two working adults. And childless couples will commonly leave anything remaining to a niece or nephew. This could have a consolidating effect on wealth distribution.
In past generations, where it was common for a successful person to have six, seven, or eight heirs, even a large inheritance was quickly dissipated over a few generations.
In a shrinking population, the opposite is true. A single child often inherits the wealth of two working adults. And childless couples will commonly leave anything remaining to a niece or nephew. This could have a consolidating effect on wealth distribution.