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Inflation and income inequality in developed and developing countries

Author

Listed:
  • Sima Siami-Namini
  • Darren Hudson

Abstract

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to investigate both linear and/or nonlinear effects of inflation on income inequality and to test the Kuznets hypothesis using panel data of 24 developed countries (DCs) and 66 developing countries (LDCs) observed over the period of 1990–2014. Design/methodology/approach - This paper explores the short- and long-run Granger causality relationship between inflation and income inequality using the Toda and Yamamoto (1995) procedure and a Vector Error Correction Model (VECM) approach. The existence of a nonlinear relationship between inflation and income inequality is confirmed implying as inflation rises income inequality decreases. Income inequality then reaches a minimum and then starts rising again. The findings of this paper show the existence of Kuznets “U-shaped” hypothesis between income inequality and real GDPper capitain DCs group, and the existence of Kuznets’ inverted “U-shaped” hypothesis for LDCs group. Findings - The results indicate that there is no bi-directional Granger causality between inflation and income inequality in the short-run, but, there is bi-directional Granger causality in the long-run for both the DCs and LDCs group. The results help us to assess the effectiveness of monetary policy in reducing income inequality in both the DCs and LDCs group. As a policy implication, monetary policy is often aimed at controlling the annual rate of inflation in the long-run with a short-run focus on reducing output gaps and creating employment. However, managing inflation may have implications for income inequality. Originality/value - This is original research paper which analyzes the “U-shaped” and inverted “U-shaped” paths of income inequality and real GDPper capitafor large sample of two group countries including developed and developing countries, respectively. Also, this paper analyzes the nonlinear relationship between inflation and income inequality in two groups. Furthermore, this paper investigates the short- and long-run relationship between variables. The results are important for policy makers.

Suggested Citation

  • Sima Siami-Namini & Darren Hudson, 2019. "Inflation and income inequality in developed and developing countries," Journal of Economic Studies, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 46(3), pages 611-632, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:eme:jespps:jes-02-2018-0045
    DOI: 10.1108/JES-02-2018-0045
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Mduduzi Biyase & Carolyn Chisadza, 2023. "Symmetric and asymmetric effects of financial deepening on income inequality in South Africa," Development Southern Africa, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 40(5), pages 961-978, September.
    2. Cong Minh Huynh & Nam Hoai Tran, 2023. "Financial development, income inequality, and institutional quality: A multi-dimensional analysis," Cogent Economics & Finance, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 11(2), pages 2242128-224, June.
    3. Ofori, Isaac K. & Gbolonyo, Emmanuel & Dossou, Marcel A. T. & Nkrumah, Richard K., 2022. "Remittances and Income Inequality in Africa: Financial Development Thresholds for Economic Policy," MPRA Paper 113015, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    4. Sima Siami‐Namini & Conrad Lyford & A. Alexandre Trindade, 2020. "The Effects of Monetary Policy Shocks on Income Inequality Across U.S. States," Economic Papers, The Economic Society of Australia, vol. 39(3), pages 204-221, September.
    5. Diana Barros & Aurora A. C. Teixeira, 2021. "Unlocking the black box: A comprehensive meta-analysis of the main determinants of within-region income inequality," Review of Regional Research: Jahrbuch für Regionalwissenschaft, Springer;Gesellschaft für Regionalforschung (GfR), vol. 41(1), pages 55-93, February.
    6. Atta Ullah & Zhao Kui & Saif Ullah & Chen Pinglu & Saba Khan, 2021. "Sustainable Utilization of Financial and Institutional Resources in Reducing Income Inequality and Poverty," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-25, January.
    7. Ha,Jongrim & Ivanova,Anna & Ohnsorge,Franziska Lieselotte & Unsal Portillo Ocando,Derya Filiz, 2019. "Inflation : Concepts, Evolution, and Correlates," Policy Research Working Paper Series 8738, The World Bank.
    8. Sima Siami-Namini, 2019. "Agriculture and Non-Agriculture Growth, Inflation and Income Inequality in Developed and Developing Countries," International Journal of Economics and Finance, Canadian Center of Science and Education, vol. 11(11), pages 1-43, November.
    9. Sima Siami-Namini & Daniel Muhammad & Fahad Fahimullah, 2018. "The Short and Long Run Effects of Selected Variables on Tax Revenue - A Case Study," Applied Economics and Finance, Redfame publishing, vol. 5(5), pages 23-32, September.
    10. Sima Siami-Namini, 2019. "Agriculture and Non-Agriculture Growth, Inflation and Income Inequality in Developed and Developing Countries," International Journal of Economics and Finance, Canadian Center of Science and Education, vol. 11(11), pages 43-51, November.
    11. Selçuk Akçay, 2022. "Remittances and income inequality in the Philippines," Asian-Pacific Economic Literature, The Crawford School, The Australian National University, vol. 36(1), pages 30-47, May.
    12. Renee van Eyden & Rangan Gupta & Xin Sheng & Mark E. Wohar, 2019. "Impact of Oil Price Volatility on State-Level Consumption of the United States: The Role of Oil Dependence," Working Papers 201969, University of Pretoria, Department of Economics.
    13. Valery V. Bezpalov & Sergey A. Lochan & Dmitry V. Fedyunin & Irina V. Polozhentseva & Tatiana V. Gorina, 2022. "Relationship between Complex Integration Indices and Inflation Indicators and Their Impact on the Development of Regional Cooperation between Countries to Reduce the Level of Inflationary Risks: Case ," Risks, MDPI, vol. 11(1), pages 1-26, December.
    14. Zhian Zhiow Augustinne Wong & Ramez Abubakr Badeeb & Abey P. Philip, 2023. "Financial Inclusion, Poverty, and Income Inequality in ASEAN Countries: Does Financial Innovation Matter?," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 169(1), pages 471-503, September.
    15. Asma Kanwal & Nwakego Eyisi, 2023. "Income Inequality and Frontend Innovation: Evidence from Frontier Markets," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Springer;Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), vol. 14(1), pages 255-286, March.
    16. Mohamad, Nurul Muna & Masron, tajul & Widiyanti, Risna & Mohd Jamil, Muslimah, 2020. "Islamic Banking and Income Inequality: The Role of Corporate Social Responsibility," Jurnal Ekonomi Malaysia, Faculty of Economics and Business, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, vol. 54(2), pages 77-90.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    Inflation; Income inequality; Kuznets hypothesis; Panel cointegration; B22; B23; C22; C23; E52; O11; O23;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • B22 - Schools of Economic Thought and Methodology - - History of Economic Thought since 1925 - - - Macroeconomics
    • B23 - Schools of Economic Thought and Methodology - - History of Economic Thought since 1925 - - - Econometrics; Quantitative and Mathematical Studies
    • C22 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Time-Series Models; Dynamic Quantile Regressions; Dynamic Treatment Effect Models; Diffusion Processes
    • C23 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Models with Panel Data; Spatio-temporal Models
    • E52 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Monetary Policy, Central Banking, and the Supply of Money and Credit - - - Monetary Policy
    • O11 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Macroeconomic Analyses of Economic Development
    • O23 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Development Planning and Policy - - - Fiscal and Monetary Policy in Development

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