Abstract

Data from Bank of Italy's survey of household income and wealth are here presented and analyzed in order to explore the dynamics of consumption, savings and debts among the italian population in the period 2004-2006. Results show the greater relevance of income, compared to wealth, in modulating household economic behaviour. This effect can be explained with the greater inclusion of higher income people in the economic cycle. People with higher income are also those who show early reaction to initial signals of the incoming crisis. Results are discussed in the framework of a theory of economic behaviour which contrasts the maslowian approach.