Trotz Aufschwung: Einkommensungleichheit geht nicht zurück. WSI-Verteilungsbericht 2015

The annual distribution report of the WSI presents key figures on the macroeconomic situation in Germany, the distribution of wages and profits and the disposable household incomes. Furthermore, the report addresses currently ongoing discussions related to two issues: the concept of income poverty and how to measure the top end of the wealth distribution. The data provide evidence that the recent economic development in Germany is very robust. We find increasing numbers of employment in those jobs subject to national insurance contributions as well as an increase in real wage levels. At the same time, however, the distribution of household income has not become more equal. In fact, income inequality has recently been rising. The data also prove that, regardless of the good economic situation, poverty rates are not declining. Obviously, not all households are able to benefit from the recent economic upswing. This calls for a stronger income redistribution. The most urgent reforms are: the re-introduction of the wealth tax, an increase in inheritance tax and an increase in the statutory minimum wage