Household Portfolios in the Netherlands

Abstract

We describe and analyse the portfolio structure of Dutch households using micro panel data from the CentER Savings Survey, 1993-1998. The data allows for a distinction between many types of assets. Moreover, we have information on mortgage debt, consumer debt, etc. We analyse the composition of household portfolios and the level of portfolio diversification, and its relation to age, birth cohort, and education level. We compare the ownership rates and amounts held in our survey data with published statistics derived from National Accounts and administrative data. Using discrete choice models and selection models, we relate asset ownership and asset shares to background variables such as age, household composition, education, etc. Moreover, we include subjectively measured explanatory variables reflecting attitudes towards risk and the degree of information the respondent has on financial assets. We consider static as well as dynamic panel data models.

Keywords: Portfolio choice, panel data

JEL Classification: D91