rikhet

Rikhet is a term meaning wealth or affluence, most commonly used in Swedish where it denotes material prosperity and financial resources. In broader discussions of economics and social policy, rikhet is used to refer to the abundance of valuable possessions, capital, or resources within an individual, household, or society.

Measurement of rikhet varies: economists distinguish between income and wealth, with wealth defined as net assets held by individuals or groups. Common indicators include household net worth, financial assets, property, and access to durable goods, as well as aggregate measures such as gross domestic product per capita and median wealth.

Rikhet is linked to questions of distribution and inequality. While economies can produce large overall rikhet, its distribution determines living standards and social outcomes. Policies such as taxation, inheritance rules, education, and social transfers influence how rikhet is shared and preserved across generations.

Historical and regional perspectives vary. In Nordic countries, high overall wealth is paired with systems aimed at reducing inequality, though debates about wealth concentration persist. In other regions, rapid growth can raise rikhet unevenly, often accompanied by debates about sustainable development and financial stability.

Related topics include wealth, wealth inequality, standard of living, economic growth, and income distribution.