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Heterogeneous Structural Transformation and Growth Incidence across the Income Distribution: the Kuznets Curve Revisited

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  • Paul, Saumik

Abstract

In 1955, in an influential study Kuznets (1955) predicted an inverted-U relationship between development and inequality, mainly through structural transformation. Since then a large body of research has empirically tested the Kuznets hypothesis, but consensus is far less evident. In this paper, I argue that a heterogeneous process of structural transformation across the income distribution may explain such empirical irregularities. I specifically link the heterogeneity in growth incidence resulting from a shrinking agriculture sector across income quantiles to inequality measures. Empirical evidence drawn from the Cote d’Ivoire household survey data supports this theoretical prediction. However, the decomposition results indicate a relatively small contribution of structural transformation to total changes in inequality.

Suggested Citation

  • Paul, Saumik, 2016. "Heterogeneous Structural Transformation and Growth Incidence across the Income Distribution: the Kuznets Curve Revisited," CEI Working Paper Series 2016-1, Center for Economic Institutions, Institute of Economic Research, Hitotsubashi University.
    • Handle: RePEc:hit:hitcei:2016-1
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Structural Change; Inequality;

    JEL classification:

    • J3 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs
    • J5 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Labor-Management Relations, Trade Unions, and Collective Bargaining

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