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Understanding Ghana’s Expenditure Inequality

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  • Sylvanus Gaku

    (Kansas State University)

Abstract

In light of new data, this paper uses regression and descriptive approaches to examine Ghana’s expenditure inequality from 1991 to 2017. Using household expenditure and several measures for the period under study, the paper observes that the inequality contiues to increase at the national level, mirroring similar trend at the sub-national level. Some administrative regions recorded over 30 percent increase in inequality. The regression-based approach reveals that household and community level characteristics contribute immensely to inequality. Household size, post secondary education, rural location and access to financial institutions are important contributors to the rising phenomenon of inequality. As the deadline of the Sustainable Development Goal approaches, this paper provides insights for policy action to attain the goal of reducing inequality especially in the Ghanaian context.

Suggested Citation

  • Sylvanus Gaku, 2022. "Understanding Ghana’s Expenditure Inequality," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 164(3), pages 1463-1480, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:soinre:v:164:y:2022:i:3:d:10.1007_s11205-022-02998-3
    DOI: 10.1007/s11205-022-02998-3
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Inequality; Gini coefficient; Sustainable development goals;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I30 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - General
    • O12 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Microeconomic Analyses of Economic Development
    • 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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