A Study on the Equitable Allocation of Wealth in the U.S. on a Per Capita Basis

According to the World Inequality Database, the United States is identified as the most unequal nation within the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), with the top 1% capturing 21% of the national income. Nonetheless, if the overall wealth in the nation were proportionately shared among the populace, it would create a markedly different view of wealth allocation.

By the summer of 2025, the Federal Reserve revealed that American households together possessed $160.35 trillion in wealth, calculated as the value of all assets minus liabilities. Given that the U.S. population is estimated to be around 340.11 million, a straightforward division of these numbers indicates that each individual would receive roughly $471,465. This theoretical distribution encompasses everyone, from babies to adults, suggesting a standard couple could receive $942,930, and a family of four could potentially have $1.89 million.

Such sums could significantly change lives, especially considering the high costs of essential living expenses like housing, education, and transportation. For instance, in California, the typical home value is about $754,304, as reported by Zillow. An undergraduate private education averages over $63,000 for a four-year program, with a luxury Toyota RAV4 Hybrid XSE/Limited starting at approximately $40,000. Furthermore, a one-week vacation in the U.S. is estimated to cost around $1,991 per person, according to Chime’s findings.

However, this theoretical wealth distribution could lead to considerable turmoil for the super-rich, whose lifestyles depend heavily on significant financial resources. An abrupt and equitable redistribution might potentially trigger inflation and unsettle societal frameworks, driving many to exit the workforce. The Federal Reserve underscores notable inequalities, with the top 0.1% of Americans wielding 13.9% of the total wealth, while the bottom 50%, who play a crucial role in the nation’s functionality, control only 2.5%.

While the notion of fair wealth distribution might be seen as a fantasy, it raises crucial questions regarding economic equality and the current disparity within the nation.

Sources: GOBankingRates, World Inequality Database, Federal Reserve, Zillow, College Board, Chime.