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Constructing Long and Dense Time-Series of Inequality Using the Theil Index

Author

Listed:
  • Pedro Conceicao

    (University of Texas)

  • James K. Galbraith

    (University of Texas)

Abstract

This paper proposes the application of the between-group component of the Theil index to data on wages, earnings, and employment by industrial classification, in order to measure the evolution of wage or earnings inequality through time. We provide formal criteria under which such a between-group Theil statistic can reasonably be assumed to give results that also track the (unobserved) evolution of inequality within industries. The advantage of this approach lies in the widespread availability of data from which long and dense time-series of inequality may be constructed. We conclude with an empirical application to the case of Brazil, an important developing country for which satisfactory Gini coefficients are scarce, but for which a between-industries Theil statistic may be computed on a monthly basis as far back as 1976.

Suggested Citation

  • Pedro Conceicao & James K. Galbraith, 2000. "Constructing Long and Dense Time-Series of Inequality Using the Theil Index," Eastern Economic Journal, Eastern Economic Association, vol. 26(1), pages 61-74, Winter.
    • Handle: RePEc:eej:eeconj:v:26:y:2000:i:1:p:61-74
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    File URL: http://web.holycross.edu/RePEc/eej/Archive/Volume26/V26N1P61_74.pdf
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Kemp-Benedict, Eric, 2015. "New ways to slice the pie: Span of control and wage and salary distribution within firms," MPRA Paper 77072, University Library of Munich, Germany, revised 24 Feb 2017.
    2. Jie Xue & Zhenyan Li & Xian Wang & Yanli Ji, 2022. "Dynamic Evaluation and Spatial Characteristics of Smart Manufacturing Capability in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(17), pages 1-18, August.
    3. Jia-Ying Sun & Lang-Yu Zhou & Jun-Yuan Deng & Chao-Yong Zhang & Hui-Ge Xing, 2024. "Spatio-Temporal Analysis of Urban Emergency Response Resilience During Public Health Crises: A Case Study of Wuhan," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(20), pages 1-25, October.
    4. Wenli Cheng & Yongzheng Wu, 2017. "Understanding the Kuznets Process—An Empirical Investigation of Income Inequality in China: 1978–2011," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 134(2), pages 631-650, November.
    5. Kam Ki Tang & Dennis Petrie, 2009. "Non-Hierarchical Bivariate Decomposition of Theil Indexes," Economics Bulletin, AccessEcon, vol. 29(2), pages 918-927.
    6. Wenli Cheng & Yongzheng Wu, 2015. "Income inequality in China: Testing the Kuznets Hypothesis with National Time Series and Provincial Panel Data 1978-2011," Monash Economics Working Papers 32-15, Monash University, Department of Economics.
    7. Han Bao & Tangwei Teng & Xianzhong Cao & Shengpeng Wang & Senlin Hu, 2022. "The Threshold Effect of Knowledge Diversity on Urban Green Innovation Efficiency Using the Yangtze River Delta Region as an Example," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(17), pages 1-18, August.
    8. Gomis-Porqueras, Pere & Garcilazo, Enrique, 2003. "EU Structural and Cohesion Funds in Spain and Portugal: Is Regional and National Inequality Increasing?," MPRA Paper 50343, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    9. Lu Tan & Jingsong Pei, 2023. "Open Government Data and the Urban–Rural Income Divide in China: An Exploration of Data Inequalities and Their Consequences," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-18, June.
    10. Lee, Woojin, 2003. "Is democracy more expropriative than dictatorship? Tocquevillian wisdom revisited," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 71(1), pages 155-198, June.
    11. Vogel, Sebastian & Meyr, Herbert, 2015. "Decentral allocation planning in multi-stage customer hierarchies," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 246(2), pages 462-470.
    12. Xiao Yan & Saidatulakmal Mohd, 2023. "Trends and Causes of Regional Income Inequality in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-18, May.
    13. Mamoon, Dawood, 2017. "Why International Trade Cause Inequality in Developing Countries," MPRA Paper 82268, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    14. Wanfu Jin & Chunshan Zhou & Lijia Luo, 2018. "Impact of Land Input on Economic Growth at Different Stages of Development in Chinese Cities and Regions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(8), pages 1-19, August.
    15. Sonu Madan & Manisha Yadav, 2022. "Decomposing Skill Based Wage Inequality in India: An Application of Theil Index," The Indian Journal of Labour Economics, Springer;The Indian Society of Labour Economics (ISLE), vol. 65(4), pages 967-979, December.
    16. Kemp-Benedict, Eric, 2015. "A middle-manager model of wage and salary distribution within firms," MPRA Paper 64303, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    17. Riccardo Leoncini, 2017. "Innovation, inequality and the skill premium," SPRU Working Paper Series 2017-16, SPRU - Science Policy Research Unit, University of Sussex Business School.
    18. repec:rre:publsh:v:40:y:2010:i:1:p:99-124 is not listed on IDEAS

    More about this item

    Keywords

    Inequality; Wage;

    JEL classification:

    • D31 - Microeconomics - - Distribution - - - Personal Income and Wealth Distribution
    • D63 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - Equity, Justice, Inequality, and Other Normative Criteria and Measurement
    • O15 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Economic Development: Human Resources; Human Development; Income Distribution; Migration

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