Asset Ownership Along Gender Lines: Evidence from Thailand

Abstract

This paper investigates gender differences in asset ownership. Specifically, the present case study explores whether a gender-specific composition in asset ownership between heads of households and spouses can be detected among low-income, urban households in Bangkok, Thailand. To examine this issue empirically we use a sample of 134 couples from a 2002 survey. Data collected were at the level of the individual respondent on accumulated physical and financial assets and both husband and wife were interviewed separately. The findings suggest that asset composition varies by gender, indicating that further investigation is warranted on this topic. Tobit and Probit tests are used to examine the factors that may affect this gendered pattern.