Source
Source Contact person/organisation Contact person/organisationIn this dataset, almost all OECD countries compile their data according to 2008 System of National Account (SNA).
The link to the file "ANA_changes.xls" is available for users to provide more information on where OECD countries and non member countries stand regarding the change over the 2008 SNA.
The readers' guide gives general information on the dataset and withheld criteria for this dataset.
Data Characteristics Data Characteristics Other data characteristics Other data characteristicsFinancial assets held by households form an important part of overall wealth and are an important source of revenue, either through the sale of those assets or refinancing, or as a source of property income (such as interest and dividends). The structure of financial assets held by households, which carry different risk levels and, as a consequence, may affect household wealth, constitutes a major input in economic analyses, such as studies of asset bubbles and analyses of welfare.
The percentages shown in SAFASS14STOT reflect the composition of the household portfolio as a share of total financial assets and indicate households' preferences in terms of financial investments as well as the financial risks borne by them. The types of financial assets held by households may vary considerably across countries, depending on cultural habits, economic situation and national rules.
Shifts in the composition of financial assets show changing household preferences. For example, an increase in currency and deposits may reflect greater risk aversion and a preference for less risky assets.
Concepts & Classifications Concepts & Classifications Key statistical concept Key statistical conceptDefinition
Financial assets held by households refer to the following categories: currency and deposits; debt securities; equity; investment fund shares/units; life insurance and annuity entitlements; and pensions entitlements, claims of pension funds on pension managers and entitlements to non-pension benefits. It excludes financial derivatives and employee stock options, loans, non-life insurance technical reserves and provisions for calls under standardized guarantees, and other accounts receivable which are generally less significant.
Life insurance and annuity entitlements, and pension entitlements, claims of pension funds on pension managers and entitlements to non-pension benefits are typically managed by financial institutions as a counterpart to these funds, the financial institutions have liability towards households, which may, or in the case of defined benefit schemes, may not be equal to the available funds.
Other manipulations Other manipulationsChanges in the stocks of financial assets over a period not only reflect net acquisitions of financial assets but also changes in valuations (holding gains and losses depending on the performance of financial markets), the financial assets most impacted by valuation changes being quoted shares.
Other Aspects Other Aspects Recommended uses and limitations Recommended uses and limitationsComparability
Comparability is generally good, but data are not always available or separately identifiable for all asset-types.
International comparability may also be hampered by institutional differences in the way pension systems are organised and operated in the various countries. In countries with highly funded pension systems, more pension reserves will be recognised and recorded as part of the assets of households.
The estimates shown in the table and figure that follow present statistics on a non-consolidated basis, except for Australia and Israel.
In this dataset, almost all OECD countries compile their data according to 2008 System of National Account (SNA).
The link to the file "ANA_changes.xls" is available for users to provide more information on where OECD countries and non member countries stand regarding the change over the 2008 SNA.
The readers' guide gives general information on the dataset and withheld criteria for this dataset.
Financial assets held by households form an important part of overall wealth and are an important source of revenue, either through the sale of those assets or refinancing, or as a source of property income (such as interest and dividends). The structure of financial assets held by households, which carry different risk levels and, as a consequence, may affect household wealth, constitutes a major input in economic analyses, such as studies of asset bubbles and analyses of welfare.
The percentages shown in SAFASS14STOT reflect the composition of the household portfolio as a share of total financial assets and indicate households' preferences in terms of financial investments as well as the financial risks borne by them. The types of financial assets held by households may vary considerably across countries, depending on cultural habits, economic situation and national rules.
Shifts in the composition of financial assets show changing household preferences. For example, an increase in currency and deposits may reflect greater risk aversion and a preference for less risky assets.
Definition
Financial assets held by households refer to the following categories: currency and deposits; debt securities; equity; investment fund shares/units; life insurance and annuity entitlements; and pensions entitlements, claims of pension funds on pension managers and entitlements to non-pension benefits. It excludes financial derivatives and employee stock options, loans, non-life insurance technical reserves and provisions for calls under standardized guarantees, and other accounts receivable which are generally less significant.
Life insurance and annuity entitlements, and pension entitlements, claims of pension funds on pension managers and entitlements to non-pension benefits are typically managed by financial institutions as a counterpart to these funds, the financial institutions have liability towards households, which may, or in the case of defined benefit schemes, may not be equal to the available funds.
Changes in the stocks of financial assets over a period not only reflect net acquisitions of financial assets but also changes in valuations (holding gains and losses depending on the performance of financial markets), the financial assets most impacted by valuation changes being quoted shares.
Comparability
Comparability is generally good, but data are not always available or separately identifiable for all asset-types.
International comparability may also be hampered by institutional differences in the way pension systems are organised and operated in the various countries. In countries with highly funded pension systems, more pension reserves will be recognised and recorded as part of the assets of households.
The estimates shown in the table and figure that follow present statistics on a non-consolidated basis, except for Australia and Israel.