Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/207462 
Year of Publication: 
2019
Series/Report no.: 
IZA Discussion Papers No. 12637
Publisher: 
Institute of Labor Economics (IZA), Bonn
Abstract: 
Assuming that an individual's rank in the wealth distribution is the only factor determining the individual's wellbeing, we analyze the individual's risk preferences in relation to gaining or losing rank, rather than the individual’s risk preferences towards gaining or losing absolute wealth. We show that in this characterization of preferences, a high-ranked individual is more willing than a low-ranked individual to take risks that can provide him with a rise in rank: relative risk aversion with respect to rank in the wealth distribution is a decreasing function of rank. This result is robust to incorporating (the level of) absolute wealth in the individual's utility function.
Subjects: 
rank in the wealth distribution
rank-based utility
variation in risk-taking behavior
relative risk aversion
JEL: 
D01
D31
D81
G32
G41
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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