Rank Your Wealth: Germany's Stark Divides Exposed
Source: ft.com
TL;DR
- Bundesbank PHF reveals stable high wealth inequality in Germany despite inflation.
- Median net wealth hit €106,600 in 2021, top 10% threshold €725,900.
- Real wealth grew for medians but top 10% hold 54-60% of total assets.[[1]](https://www.bundesbank.de/resource/blob/908924/3ef9d9a4eaeae8a8779ccec3ac464970/mL/2023-04-vermoegensbefragung-data.pdf)[[2]](https://publikationen.bundesbank.de/publikationen-en/reports-studies/monthly-reports/household-wealth-and-finances-in-germany-results-of-the-2023-household-wealth-survey-954660)
The story at a glance
Paywalled FT piece likely spotlights Bundesbank's PHF wealth data via interactive calculator, letting users input assets to rank against percentiles like median €106,600 or top 10% at €725,900 (2021). Amid surging house prices and stocks, average net wealth climbed to €316,500, yet inequality endures with Gini at 73% and top 10% gripping 56% of riches. Tool demystifies stark divides: East medians lag West at €43,400 vs €127,900; under-35s hold just €11,400-€18,700.[[1]](https://www.bundesbank.de/resource/blob/908924/3ef9d9a4eaeae8a8779ccec3ac464970/mL/2023-04-vermoegensbefragung-data.pdf)
Key moments & milestones
- 2010-11: PHF launches; median €51,400, mean €195,200, top 10% share 59%, Gini 76%.[[1]](https://www.bundesbank.de/resource/blob/908924/3ef9d9a4eaeae8a8779ccec3ac464970/mL/2023-04-vermoegensbefragung-data.pdf)
- 2014: Median rises to €62,300, top 10% €468,000, inequality steady at Gini 76%.[[1]](https://www.bundesbank.de/resource/blob/908924/3ef9d9a4eaeae8a8779ccec3ac464970/mL/2023-04-vermoegensbefragung-data.pdf)
- 2017: Median €70,800, top 10% €555,400, slight easing to Gini 74%, top share 55%.[[1]](https://www.bundesbank.de/resource/blob/908924/3ef9d9a4eaeae8a8779ccec3ac464970/mL/2023-04-vermoegensbefragung-data.pdf)
- 2021: Pandemic boosts median to €106,600 (+51%), mean €316,500 (+36%), top 10% €725,900, Gini 73%.[[1]](https://www.bundesbank.de/resource/blob/908924/3ef9d9a4eaeae8a8779ccec3ac464970/mL/2023-04-vermoegensbefragung-data.pdf)
- 2023: Nominal mean €324,800, real median falls to €76,000 amid inflation; top 10% share 54% (survey), 60.5% (DWA-adjusted).[[2]](https://publikationen.bundesbank.de/publikationen-en/reports-studies/monthly-reports/household-wealth-and-finances-in-germany-results-of-the-2023-household-wealth-survey-954660)
Signature highlights
Bundesbank's PHF, now in waves through 2023, paints a portrait of resilient inequality: top 10% consistently claim over half of net wealth, fueled by business and housing assets, while bottom 50% scrape ~3% even as their slice grew modestly post-2009.[[2]](https://publikationen.bundesbank.de/publikationen-en/reports-studies/monthly-reports/household-wealth-and-finances-in-germany-results-of-the-2023-household-wealth-survey-954660) Real median wealth nearly doubled to €103,000 by 2023 (DWA), but inflation eroded gains, dropping 2021-23 medians 16% in purchasing power.[[2]](https://publikationen.bundesbank.de/publikationen-en/reports-studies/monthly-reports/household-wealth-and-finances-in-germany-results-of-the-2023-household-wealth-survey-954660)
The FT tool would benchmark users against granular thresholds—e.g., P90 €725,900 (2021), interquartile €338,000—highlighting how 55-60% concentration persists despite broader access to shares (up long-term).[[1]](https://www.bundesbank.de/resource/blob/908924/3ef9d9a4eaeae8a8779ccec3ac464970/mL/2023-04-vermoegensbefragung-data.pdf) East-West chasm endures (€43k vs €128k medians), peaking for 45-74 at €155k-€231k.
| Percentile | 2021 Net Wealth (€) | Trend Insight |
|---|---|---|
| P10 | 6,900 | Negative for ~7% |
| P50 (Median) | 106,600 | +107% since 2010 |
| P90 (Top 10%) | 725,900 | Absolute gaps widen |
| Gini | 73% | High vs euro avg ~69%[[1]](https://www.bundesbank.de/resource/blob/908924/3ef9d9a4eaeae8a8779ccec3ac464970/mL/2023-04-vermoegensbefragung-data.pdf)[[2]](https://publikationen.bundesbank.de/publikationen-en/reports-studies/monthly-reports/household-wealth-and-finances-in-germany-results-of-the-2023-household-wealth-survey-954660) |
DWA tweaks for underreported ultra-rich push top 10% to 60%+, affirming Germany's outlier status.[[2]](https://publikationen.bundesbank.de/publikationen-en/reports-studies/monthly-reports/household-wealth-and-finances-in-germany-results-of-the-2023-household-wealth-survey-954660)
Why it matters
High concentration—top 10% at €779,000+ threshold—buffers policy shocks but amplifies vulnerabilities for 72% below mean, straining social cohesion amid ageing demographics. Decision-makers gain benchmarks for taxes, pensions: median €76k real signals retirement shortfalls; tools like FT's empower personal planning against Gini 72%. Watch 2026 PHF for inflation's bite on debt service (stable ~18% income) and housing's role as middle-class anchor.[[2]](https://publikationen.bundesbank.de/publikationen-en/reports-studies/monthly-reports/household-wealth-and-finances-in-germany-results-of-the-2023-household-wealth-survey-954660)