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Measurement and decomposition of Lithuania's income inequality

Author

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  • Nerijus Černiauskas

    (Economics Department, Bank of Lithuania & Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania)

  • Andrius Čiginas

    (Economics Department, Bank of Lithuania & Faculty of Mathematics and Informatics, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania)

Abstract

Even though Lithuania’s household income inequality is among the highest in the European Union (EU), little empirical work has been carried out to explain such disparities. We investigate it using the EU Statistics on Income and Living Conditions sample microdata. We confirm that income inequality in Lithuania is high compared to the EU average. Our decompositions reveal that the number of employed household members in Lithuania’s households affects income inequality more as compared to the EU. It is related to a larger labour income, and self-employment income, in particular, contribution to inequality in Lithuania. Moreover, taxes, social contributions, and transfers reduce income inequality in Lithuania less than in the EU. Specifically, income taxes and social contributions are less progressive while transfers constitute a smaller share of income in Lithuania than in the EU. Income taxes and social contributions are effectively regressive for the self- employed in Lithuania.

Suggested Citation

  • Nerijus Černiauskas & Andrius Čiginas, 2020. "Measurement and decomposition of Lithuania's income inequality," Baltic Journal of Economics, Baltic International Centre for Economic Policy Studies, vol. 20(2), pages 139-169.
    • Handle: RePEc:bic:journl:v:20:y:2020:i:2:p:139-169
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Income inequality; factor decomposition; subgroup decomposition; Lithuania; European Union; Kakwani;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D31 - Microeconomics - - Distribution - - - Personal Income and Wealth Distribution

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