The Unheard Echoes of Equality: Perceptions of Wealth Inequality in the
Heart of Europe and Beyond
Abstract
This study examines various attitudes to wealth inequality in Czechia
and the broader CEE region and provides valuable insights into global
research on inequality perceptions. By focusing on this, to date,
underexplored region, our research contributes to the current
understanding of wealth inequality at the global scale. The findings
revealed remarkable similarities between Czech and US respondents in
terms of their perceptions and preferences. On average, participants
estimated that the top 20% of the population in the Czech Republic
holds approximately 48% of total wealth, while expressing a preference
for a lower wealth share of around 34% in the ideal scenario. These
results are in alignment with previous research that highlighted a
prevalent lack of awareness of actual levels of wealth inequality
combined with a consistent preference for the reduction of inequality
levels. By elucidating these patterns, this study contributes to the
growing body of literature in the field.