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Genetic diversity and income inequality: The case for Y-chromosome DNA diversity

Author

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  • Amini, Amirhossein
  • Jogani, Chitra

Abstract

This paper examines how patrilineal genetic diversity affects income inequality. We create a new measure of genetic diversity by implementing the notion of Y chromosome diversity. Using a cross section of more than 120 countries and controlling for other geographic and economic variations, we find that countries with higher genetic diversity also have higher income inequality. We show that this measure captures variations in income inequality that is unexplained by previous popular diversity indices and overcomes some of the empirical issues of those measures. Additionally, we find that countries with higher degree of genetic diversity have lower levels of social cooperation and government efficiency, which then leads to a decrease in redistribution and an increase in income inequality.

Suggested Citation

  • Amini, Amirhossein & Jogani, Chitra, 2023. "Genetic diversity and income inequality: The case for Y-chromosome DNA diversity," The Quarterly Review of Economics and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 92(C), pages 174-181.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:quaeco:v:92:y:2023:i:c:p:174-181
    DOI: 10.1016/j.qref.2023.08.006
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Diversity; Income Inequality; Y-DNA; Haplogroups;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • O11 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Macroeconomic Analyses of Economic Development
    • O50 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economywide Country Studies - - - General
    • N30 - Economic History - - Labor and Consumers, Demography, Education, Health, Welfare, Income, Wealth, Religion, and Philanthropy - - - General, International, or Comparative
    • Z13 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics - - - Economic Sociology; Economic Anthropology; Language; Social and Economic Stratification

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