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Erik Bengtsson . Photo

Erik Bengtsson

Deputy head of the Department of Economic History, Senior lecturer

Erik Bengtsson . Photo

What Happened to the Incomes of the Rich during the Great Levelling? Evidence from Swedish Individual-Level Data, 1909–1950

Author

  • Erik Bengtsson
  • Jakob Molinder

Summary, in English

We use individual-level income data from archived taxation lists to study top-income earners in Sweden from 1909 to 1950. Using information on 21,055 individual taxpayers in two elite areas in greater Stockholm, we show that top incomes fell in real terms over this period, at a stable pace without obvious connection to the Great Depression or the world wars. The peak of inequality was related to the early stages of a globalized economy with Schumpeterian entrepreneurial profits; the decline was related to sharpened competition, driving down profits, as well as increased regulation, expansion of education, and eroded position of professionals.

Department/s

  • Department of Economic History

Publishing year

2025-06

Language

English

Pages

411-411

Publication/Series

Journal of Economic History

Volume

85

Issue

2

Document type

Journal article

Publisher

Cambridge University Press

Topic

  • Economic History
  • Economics
  • History and Archaeology

Status

Published

Project

  • The Swedish transition to equality: income inequality with new micro data, 1862–1970

ISBN/ISSN/Other

  • ISSN: 0022-0507