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Economic Growth and Income Inequality: Evidence from Dynamic Panel Investigation

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  • Dong Jin Lee
  • Jong Chil Son

Abstract

This paper empirically investigates the effect of income inequality on economic growth using extended panel data covering a broad range of developing and developed countries. We use system generalized method of moments (GMM) techniques in a dynamic panel analysis, which alleviates the possible positive bias in difference GMM due to the persistence of lagged dependent variables as instruments. We find strong evidence of a negative effect on growth from income inequality, which contradicts the findings of Forbes [2000, September. A reassessment of the relationship between inequality and growth, American Economic Review, 90(4), pp. 869–887] and Li and Zou [1998, October. Income inequality is not harmful for growth: Theory and evidence, Review of Development Economics, 2(3), pp. 318–34]. Further analyses using combined Gini coefficients show that the difference can be overall attributed to the problem of omitted control variables and the differences in how the variations in inequality across countries are reflected. We also find that the negative effects of inequality on economic growth can be of great significance when using a sample of less developed countries or more recent inequality data set.

Suggested Citation

  • Dong Jin Lee & Jong Chil Son, 2016. "Economic Growth and Income Inequality: Evidence from Dynamic Panel Investigation," Global Economic Review, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 45(4), pages 331-358, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:glecrv:v:45:y:2016:i:4:p:331-358
    DOI: 10.1080/1226508X.2016.1181980
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Marco Ioffredi, 2018. "Income Inequality and Economic Growth: Decomposing the Effects of the Income Distribution," LIS Working papers 751, LIS Cross-National Data Center in Luxembourg.
    2. Devdatta Ray & Mikael Linden, 2018. "Health, inequality and income: a global study using simultaneous model," Journal of Economic Structures, Springer;Pan-Pacific Association of Input-Output Studies (PAPAIOS), vol. 7(1), pages 1-28, December.
    3. José Carlos Coelho & José Alves, 2021. "Two-way relationship between inequality and growth within fiscal policy channel: an empirical assessment for European countries," Working Papers REM 2021/0205, ISEG - Lisbon School of Economics and Management, REM, Universidade de Lisboa.
    4. Tian Aw Yong, 2020. "Wealth Inequality, Governance and Economic Growth in China," Asian Journal of Economics and Empirical Research, Asian Online Journal Publishing Group, vol. 7(2), pages 235-241.
    5. José Carlos Coelho & José Alves, 2021. "How inequality drives growth: an investigation of the transmission channels for OECD countries," Working Papers REM 2021/0194, ISEG - Lisbon School of Economics and Management, REM, Universidade de Lisboa.
    6. Chandika Gunasinghe & E. A. Selvanathan & Athula Naranpanawa & John Forster, 2021. "Rising Income Inequality in OECD Countries: Does Fiscal Policy Sacrifice Economic Growth in Achieving Equity?," The European Journal of Development Research, Palgrave Macmillan;European Association of Development Research and Training Institutes (EADI), vol. 33(6), pages 1840-1876, December.
    7. Hailemariam Abebe & Dzhumashev Ratbek, 2020. "Income Inequality and Economic Growth: Heterogeneity and Nonlinearity," Studies in Nonlinear Dynamics & Econometrics, De Gruyter, vol. 24(3), pages 1-15, June.
    8. Nelson, Tim & McCracken-Hewson, Eleanor & Sundstrom, Gabby & Hawthorne, Marianne, 2019. "The drivers of energy-related financial hardship in Australia – understanding the role of income, consumption and housing," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 124(C), pages 262-271.
    9. Tsun Se Cheong & Guanghua Wan & David Kam Hung Chui, 2022. "Unveiling the Relationship between Economic Growth and Equality for Developing Countries," China & World Economy, Institute of World Economics and Politics, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, vol. 30(5), pages 1-28, September.
    10. Dong, Xiao-Ying & Hao, Yu, 2018. "Would income inequality affect electricity consumption? Evidence from China," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 142(C), pages 215-227.

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