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Variables The data consist of the estimated number of holdings and value of assets held by groups of individuals classified by sex, age and wealth range. They derive from the Inland Revenue sample of estates on which is based the wealth information reported in <i>Inland Revenue statistics</i>. The data identify 11 age groups, 10 wealth ranges and 104 types of assets and debts. They are available for two years that correspond approximately to the calendar years 1975 and 1976. The reference population in 1975 is Great Britain, while in 1976 it is the United Kingdom.

The Inland Revenue examine a sample of probated estates, applying a sampling frequency that depends on age and the value of the estate (and is slightly different for Northern Ireland). Having analysed these estates, the number and value of asset holdings is projected for the living population by scaling up by the reciprocal of the sampling frequency within each age/wealth cell and then by the reciprocal of the estimated mortality rate (or the 'mortality multiplier') within each cell. This means that the asset data, although apparently recording thousands of holdings valued in millions of pounds, may only reflect the characteristics of a few estates

Compilation or synthesis of existing material