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Economic Inequality in Central, East and Southeast Europe

Author

Listed:
  • Sebastian Leitner
  • Mario Holzner

    (Vienna Institute for International Economic Studies (WIIW), Vienna)

Abstract

The article analyses the issue of economic inequality in the transition economies of Central, East and Southeast Europe. It consists of a literature review and a descriptive analysis as well as an econometric modelling exercise. In the first part we point at the fact that the rise in income inequality was triggered by the magnitude of transitional output loss and a reduction of formal employment. Rising wage inequality was at the core of total income dispersion, while government transfers had a redistributional function only in Central and Southeast European countries contrary to the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). In the econometric analysis it is found that for instance public utilities infrastructure liberalisation has increased inequality in transition, while price and trade liberalisation has decreased it. A high share of employment in industry and high government expenditures are connected with less inequality.

Suggested Citation

  • Sebastian Leitner & Mario Holzner, 2008. "Economic Inequality in Central, East and Southeast Europe," European Journal of Economics and Economic Policies: Intervention, Edward Elgar Publishing, vol. 5(1), pages 155-188.
    • Handle: RePEc:elg:ejeepi:v:5:y:2008:i:1:p:155-188
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    Cited by:

    1. Mario Holzner, 2010. "Inequality, Growth and Public Spending in Central, East and Southeast Europe," wiiw Working Papers 71, The Vienna Institute for International Economic Studies, wiiw.
    2. Sebastian Leitner, 2015. "Effects of Income Inequality on Population Health and Social Outcomes at the Regional Level in the EU," wiiw Working Papers 113, The Vienna Institute for International Economic Studies, wiiw.
    3. Aleksandra Parteka, 2012. "Skilled-Unskilled Wage Gap Versus Evolving Trade And Labour Market Structures in the EU," Working Papers 1204, Instytut Rozwoju, Institute for Development.
    4. Gorana Krstić, 2016. "Why Income Inequality Is So High In Serbia: Empirical Evidence And A Measurement Of The Key Factors," Economic Annals, Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Belgrade, vol. 61(210), pages 23-46, July - Se.
    5. Ângelo Barroso & Cristina Chaves & Francisco Vitorino Martins & Manuel Castelo Branco, 2016. "On the possibility of sustainable development with less economic growth: a research note," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 18(5), pages 1399-1414, October.
    6. Goran Nikolić & Ivan Nikolić, 2021. "Is There A Trade Convergence Between South East European And Central European Economies?," Economic Annals, Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Belgrade, vol. 66(231), pages 7-32, October –.
    7. Mario Holzner, 2013. "Inequality and the Crisis: A Causal Inference Analysis," wiiw Balkan Observatory Working Papers 110, The Vienna Institute for International Economic Studies, wiiw.
    8. 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.
    9. Vladimir Gligorov, 2009. "Mobility and Transition in Integrating Europe," Human Development Research Papers (2009 to present) HDRP-2009-15, Human Development Report Office (HDRO), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), revised Apr 2009.
    10. Ayal Kimhi, 2023. "Land Reform and Its Effect on Farm Household Income Inequality: Evidence from Georgia," Economies, MDPI, vol. 11(10), pages 1-11, October.
    11. Monica Szeles, 2013. "Re-examining the relationship between economic growth and inequality in the New Member States," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 47(5), pages 2799-2813, August.
    12. repec:onb:oenbfi:y:2005:i:1:b:5 is not listed on IDEAS
    13. Sergii Slukhai & Tetiana Borshchenko, 2019. "Social welfare dynamics in post-socialist countries: unveiling the secrets of success," Public Sector Economics, Institute of Public Finance, vol. 43(2), pages 167-194.
    14. Martin Mariš, 2016. "Effect of the Centrifugal and Centripetal Effects in Core Versus (Semi)Periphery in Central Europe Countries," Acta Universitatis Agriculturae et Silviculturae Mendelianae Brunensis, Mendel University Press, vol. 64(3), pages 993-1000.
    15. Gorana Krstić & Peter Sanfey, 2008. "Earnings Inequality and the Informal Economy: Evidence from Serbia," wiiw Balkan Observatory Working Papers 75, The Vienna Institute for International Economic Studies, wiiw.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    income distribution; inequality; transition economies;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • 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
    • P36 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - Socialist Institutions and Their Transitions - - - Consumer Economics; Health; Education and Training; Welfare, Income, Wealth, and Poverty

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