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Macroeconomic determinants of wealth inequality dynamics

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  • Berisha, Edmond
  • Meszaros, John

Abstract

The evolution of wealth inequality over the long run depends on income growth, inflation, and interest rates. In this paper, we examine, in a dynamic setting, the effect of these three macroeconomic variables on wealth inequality in the United States over the periods 1929–2009 and 1962–2009. The results show that these macroeconomic factors explain a significant amount of the changes in wealth inequality. The results indicate that increases in inflation and income growth contribute positively to net wealth shares of adults in the bottom 50% and middle 40% of the wealth distribution, leading to decreases in overall wealth inequality. Interestingly, the results show increases in interest rates contribute to lower wealth inequality in the U.S. although this result does not hold across all the inequality measures.

Suggested Citation

  • Berisha, Edmond & Meszaros, John, 2020. "Macroeconomic determinants of wealth inequality dynamics," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 89(C), pages 153-165.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecmode:v:89:y:2020:i:c:p:153-165
    DOI: 10.1016/j.econmod.2019.10.001
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    3. Njangang, Henri & Asongu, Simplice A. & Tadadjeu, Sosson & Nounamo, Yann & Kamguia, Brice, 2022. "Governance in mitigating the effect of oil wealth on wealth inequality: A cross-country analysis of policy thresholds," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 76(C).
    4. Simplice A. Asongu & Beatrice D. Simo-Kengne, 2022. "Demographic Change and Wealth Inequality: Global Evidence," Working Papers of the African Governance and Development Institute. 22/085, African Governance and Development Institute..
    5. Sosson Tadadjeu & Henri Njangang & Simplice Asongu & Yann Nounamo, 2021. "Natural resources and wealth inequality: a cross-country analysis," Journal of Economic and Administrative Sciences, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 39(3), pages 596-608, July.
    6. Jianxu Liu & Xiaoqing Li & Shutong Liu & Sanzidur Rahman & Songsak Sriboonchitta, 2022. "Addressing Rural–Urban Income Gap in China through Farmers’ Education and Agricultural Productivity Growth via Mediation and Interaction Effects," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 12(11), pages 1-23, November.
    7. Petar Peshev & Kristina Stefanova & Ivanina Mancheva, 2023. "Wealth Inequality Determinants in the EU Members from the CEE Region, 1995-2021," Economic Studies journal, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences - Economic Research Institute, issue 6, pages 19-40.
    8. Kim, Dong-Hyeon & Lin, Shu-Chin, 2024. "Inflation and wealth inequality," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 82(C), pages 893-907.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Wealth inequality; Monetary policy; Inflation; Income growth; Interest rates; Household debt;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • E25 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Consumption, Saving, Production, Employment, and Investment - - - Aggregate Factor Income Distribution
    • D31 - Microeconomics - - Distribution - - - Personal Income and Wealth Distribution
    • E40 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Money and Interest Rates - - - General

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