Poverty Dynamics in Four OECD Countries

OECD Working Paper No. 212

79 Pages Posted: 25 Apr 2000

See all articles by Pablo Antolin

Pablo Antolin

Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, OECD

Thai-Thanh Dang

Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD) - Economics Department (ECO)

Howard Oxley

Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD) - Economics Department (ECO)

Date Written: April 1999

Abstract

This study examines the dynamics of poverty for four OECD countries (Canada, Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States). It provides information on patterns of poverty, which groups stay in poverty the longest, and household/individual characteristics and life-course events which appear to be most closely associated with transitions into and out of poverty and the length of time individuals stay in poverty. The analysis finds that the number of people touched by poverty over a six year period is significantly larger that the poverty rate might suggest, but the share of those staying poor for a long time is much smaller. The data suggest that longer-term poor are concentrated among women, lone parents and older single individuals. The study finds that employment status is the main factor affecting transitions into and out of poverty and the duration of poverty.

JEL Classification: I32, H53, J12, C41

Suggested Citation

Antolin, Pablo and Dang, Thai-Thanh and Oxley, Howard, Poverty Dynamics in Four OECD Countries (April 1999). OECD Working Paper No. 212, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=223630 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.223630

Pablo Antolin

Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, OECD ( email )

2 rue Andre Pascal
Paris Cedex 16, MO 63108
France
33-1-45.24.90.86 (Phone)
33-1-44.30.63.08 (Fax)

Thai-Thanh Dang (Contact Author)

Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD) - Economics Department (ECO) ( email )

2 rue Andre Pascal
Paris Cedex 16, MO 63108
France

Howard Oxley

Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD) - Economics Department (ECO) ( email )

2 rue Andre Pascal
Paris Cedex 16, MO 63108
France