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Income Distribution across Ethnic Groups in Malaysia: Results from a New Social Accounting Matrix

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  • M. Yusof Saari
  • Erik Dietzenbacher
  • Bart Los

Abstract

type="main"> A new social accounting matrix is constructed for Malaysia for the year 2000 to analyze sources of income inequality among ethnic groups in Malaysia. The analysis reveals that income inequality can be decomposed into the interaction of: (i) hourly wages; (ii) working hours per week; and (iii) number of dependents per household. The results of the analysis suggest that occupational differences are the main factor contributing to wage inequality in Malaysia. Ethnic Malays tend to work in low-wage industries while ethnic Chinese and Indians are more likely to work in higher-wage industries.

Suggested Citation

  • M. Yusof Saari & Erik Dietzenbacher & Bart Los, 2014. "Income Distribution across Ethnic Groups in Malaysia: Results from a New Social Accounting Matrix," Asian Economic Journal, East Asian Economic Association, vol. 28(3), pages 259-278, September.
  • Handle: RePEc:bla:asiaec:v:28:y:2014:i:3:p:259-278
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Hasanul Banna & Muhammad Mehedi Masud & Shamsulbahriah K. A. Rodrigo, 2020. "How does economic growth impact on income inequality across ethnic groups in Malaysia?," Poverty & Public Policy, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 12(4), pages 397-420, December.
    2. Saari, M. Yusof & Rahman, M. Affan Abdul & Hassan, Azman & Habibullah, Muzafar Shah, 2016. "Estimating the impact of minimum wages on poverty across ethnic groups in Malaysia," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 54(C), pages 490-502.
    3. Mohd Nor, Norma Azuli & Mohd Salleh, Norlida Hanim & Falatehan, A Faroby, 2021. "The Effect of Tourism Expenditure on the Economy: A New Evidence," Jurnal Ekonomi Malaysia, Faculty of Economics and Business, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, vol. 55(3), pages 23-34.
    4. Saari, M. Yusof & Dietzenbacher, Erik & Los, Bart, 2016. "The impacts of petroleum price fluctuations on income distribution across ethnic groups in Malaysia," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 130(C), pages 25-36.
    5. Lau, Patricia Yin Yin & Tong, Jane L.Y. Terpstra & Lien, Bella Ya-Hui & Hsu, Yen-Chen & Chong, Chooi Ling, 2017. "Ethical work climate, employee commitment and proactive customer service performance: Test of the mediating effects of organizational politics," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 35(C), pages 20-26.
    6. Saari, M. Yusof & Dietzenbacher, Erik & Los, Bart, 2015. "Sources of Income Growth and Inequality Across Ethnic Groups in Malaysia, 1970–2000," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 76(C), pages 311-328.

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