Original Research

Disaggregated South African household net wealth: A mixed methods approach

Debbie Scheepers, Bernadene de Clercq
Journal of Economic and Financial Sciences | Vol 9, No 3 | a75 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/jef.v9i3.75 | © 2016 Debbie Scheepers, Bernadene de Clercq | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 18 December 2017 | Published: 03 December 2016

About the author(s)

Debbie Scheepers, Department of Financial Accounting, University of South Africa, South Africa
Bernadene de Clercq, Department of Taxation, University of South Africa, South Africa

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Abstract

This article addresses the paucity of disaggregated household net wealth data in South Africa. A mixed methods approach was followed to develop and conduct a country-specific household net wealth measurement survey. A disaggregated household typology of assets and liabilities, based on international net wealth surveys, was developed. Focus group research was employed in the qualitative strand to finalise the survey. In the quantitative strand, disaggregated micro-level data estimates from 2 606 households were collected and the article presents the cursory findings. A comparison is drawn between the survey’s main asset and liability estimates with data estimates presented in the South African Reserve Bank’s household balance sheet. These estimates were constructed from macro-level data estimates and lack information on the disaggregated composition of household net wealth. Furthermore, the conceptual linkages and differences between the micro and macro data estimates are described. The manner in which differences in the concepts, construction methods and potential survey errors contributed to differences between the two sets of data estimates is also indicated. The aim of the research was to contribute to the field of household finances from the perspective of a developing country. Therefore, the process followed to construct and validate the survey instrument and data estimates could assist other developing countries to develop their own surveys. Disaggregated net wealth data estimates could assist policy-makers with the overview and management of a country’s household net wealth.

Keywords

Household net wealth measurement; household assets; household liabilities; household balance sheet; mixed methods research; focus group research; disaggregated household data estimates

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