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A cost-of-living squeeze? Distributional implications of rising inflation

Author

Listed:
  • Orsetta Causa

    (OECD Economics Department, Paris, France)

  • Emilia Soldani

    (OECD Economics Department, Paris, France)

  • Nhung Luu

    (OECD Statistics and Data Directorate, Paris, France)

Abstract

In most OECD countries inflation sharply increased since the end of 2021, mostly driven by energy and food prices. Certain categories of households are particularly vulnerable, as they spend large portions of their consumption on energy and food. Drawing on national micro-based household budget survey data, this paper quantifies the impact of rising prices on households’ welfare. Declines in household purchasing power between August 2021 and August 2022 are estimated to range from 3% in Japan to 18% in Czechia. This decline is driven by energy prices in most countries, especially Denmark, Italy, and the United Kingdom. In general, inflation weighs relatively more on lower income households. The effects are stronger for rural households, due to energy price inflation. These findings call for a careful targeting of income and price support measures, notwithstanding their administrative and logistical complexity, taking into account their effects on economic activity, inflation, and environmental goals.

Suggested Citation

  • Orsetta Causa & Emilia Soldani & Nhung Luu, 2023. "A cost-of-living squeeze? Distributional implications of rising inflation," Public Sector Economics, Institute of Public Finance, vol. 47(4), pages 431-460.
    • Handle: RePEc:ipf:psejou:v:47:y:2023:i:4:p:431-460
    DOI: 10.3326/pse.47.4.3
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Luu, Nhung & Woloszko, Nicolas & Causa, Orsetta & Arriola, Christine & van Tongeren, Frank & Johansson, Asa, 2020. "Mapping Trade to Household Budget Survey: a conversion framework for assessing the distributional impact of trade policies," Conference papers 333153, Purdue University, Center for Global Trade Analysis, Global Trade Analysis Project.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    inflation; purchasing power; distribution; inequality; energy; policy analysis;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • H12 - Public Economics - - Structure and Scope of Government - - - Crisis Management
    • H23 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - Externalities; Redistributive Effects; Environmental Taxes and Subsidies
    • I3 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty
    • Q41 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Energy - - - Demand and Supply; Prices
    • Q48 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Energy - - - Government Policy

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