Trends in Income Inequality, Pro-Poor Income Growth and Income Mobility

22 Pages Posted: 18 Nov 2003

See all articles by Stephen P. Jenkins

Stephen P. Jenkins

London School of Economics & Political Science (LSE) - Department of Social Policy and Administration; Institute for the Study of Labor (IZA); University of Essex - Institute for Social and Economic Research (ISER)

Philippe Van Kerm

Luxembourg Institute of Socio-Economic Research (LISER)

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Date Written: October 2003

Abstract

We provide an analytical framework within which changes in income inequality over time are related to the pattern of income growth across the income range, and the reshuffling of individuals in the income pecking order. We use it to explain how it was possible both for "the poor" to have fared badly relatively to "the rich" in the USA during the 1980s (when income inequality grew substantially), and also for income growth to have been pro-poor. Income growth was also pro-poor in Western Germany, more so than in the USA, and inequality did not rise as much.

Keywords: inequality, income growth, income mobility, pro-poor growth, reranking

JEL Classification: D31, I32

Suggested Citation

Jenkins, Stephen P. and Van Kerm, Philippe, Trends in Income Inequality, Pro-Poor Income Growth and Income Mobility (October 2003). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=460603 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.460603

Stephen P. Jenkins (Contact Author)

London School of Economics & Political Science (LSE) - Department of Social Policy and Administration ( email )

Houghton Street
London, England WC2A 2AE
United Kingdom

Institute for the Study of Labor (IZA)

P.O. Box 7240
Bonn, D-53072
Germany

University of Essex - Institute for Social and Economic Research (ISER) ( email )

Wivenhoe Park
Colchester CO4 3SQ
United Kingdom
+44 120 687 3374 (Phone)
+44 120 687 3151 (Fax)

Philippe Van Kerm

Luxembourg Institute of Socio-Economic Research (LISER) ( email )

11, Porte des Sciences
Esch-sur-Alzette, L-4366
Luxembourg

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