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A multidimensional approach to measuring the middle class

Author

Listed:
  • María Edo

    (Universidad de San Andrés
    CONICET)

  • Walter Sosa Escudero

    (Universidad de San Andrés
    CONICET)

  • Marcela Svarc

    (Universidad de San Andrés
    CONICET)

Abstract

Middle class studies have gained relevance in the economic literature. Nevertheless, a profound lack of agreement on conceptual and methodological issues for its identification remains. Furthermore, it has mostly relied on only one dimension: income. In this paper we present a new multidimensional approach for identifying the middle class based on multivariate quantiles. Moreover, this approach allows for a more general assessment of welfare given that it allows for identifying other groups -the poor and the upper class- overcoming existing strategies. We provide an empirical application for the case of Argentina in the 2004-2014 period.

Suggested Citation

  • María Edo & Walter Sosa Escudero & Marcela Svarc, 2021. "A multidimensional approach to measuring the middle class," The Journal of Economic Inequality, Springer;Society for the Study of Economic Inequality, vol. 19(1), pages 139-162, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:joecin:v:19:y:2021:i:1:d:10.1007_s10888-020-09464-5
    DOI: 10.1007/s10888-020-09464-5
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Merz, Joachim & Scherg, Bettina, 2021. "Time, Income and Subjective Well-Being - 20 Years of Interdependent Multidimensional Polarization in Germany," IZA Discussion Papers 14870, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    3. Wietzke, Frank-Borge, 2024. "Perceptions of social class in Africa. Results from a conjoint experiment," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 178(C).
    4. Wendy Brau, 2022. "How multidimensional is welfare? A sparse principal components analysis," Young Researchers Working Papers 5, Universidad de San Andres, Departamento de Economia, revised Oct 2022.

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