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Shares of wealth across wealth groups by asset type

Wealth inequalityInequalityComponents of wealth

This graph shows how different types of wealth holdings are distributed across wealth groups. It shows that ownership of shares, investment real estate and superannuation is highly concentrated.

2017-18: The wealthiest 20% group holds 81% of shares and other financial investments; and 83% of investment property. Superannuation is also shared unequally, with 61% by value held by the highest 20%, and 20% held by the next highest wealth group. Owner-occupied housing is more equally distributed, with 55% by value held by the highest 20%, and 27% by the second-highest wealth group.

2015-16:  The highest 20% of the wealth distribution owns over 80% of all wealth in investment properties and shares and over 60% of all superannuation assets. Household wealth in the residential home is more evenly distributed, though the highest 20% still holds 54% of all wealth in this form. The most evenly distributed asset type is ‘other non‑financial assets’ (e.g. vehicles and home contents), since households across the distribution (including non home-owners) are likely to own these kinds of assets.

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