Asset Accumulation

Throughout the 1950s, household wealth was roughly 3.7 times GDP. From 1960 through 1979 it steadily fell, bottoming at 3.2 times GDP. Since then, it’s steadily risen except during the 2001 recession and the Great Recession, when it declined. During the dotcom boom, prior to the 2001 recession, household wealth hit 4.3; during the housing boom, prior to the Great Recession, it touched 4.7. Today it’s 4.8. A bit lofty.