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Higher Inequality in Latin America: A Collateral Effect of the Pandemic

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  • Acevedo, Ivonne
  • Castellani, Francesca
  • Cota, María José
  • Lotti, Giulia
  • Székely, Miguel

Abstract

This study explores the evolution of inequality in Latin America during the COVID-19 pandemic using primary data available from household and employment surveys collected in 2020. Inequality increased on average by 2 percent between 2019 and 2020, twice the average annual growth in the inequality indicator that marked the decade of growing inequality in the 1990s. We obtained heterogeneous results when disaggregating by gender, urban/rural location, and sector of economic activity. Surprisingly, we found that the differences in income by education level declined in most cases. Remittances had a modest effect, while government transfers played a central role in preventing greater disparities in half the countries studied. Our estimations show that the decline in employment levels due to the economic contraction caused by COVID-19 is associated with increases in income inequality that we project will gradually diminish with the recovery. However, the lost schooling and losses in education attainment due to the pandemic may generate future pressures on inequality once school-age youth enter the labor market.

Suggested Citation

  • Acevedo, Ivonne & Castellani, Francesca & Cota, María José & Lotti, Giulia & Székely, Miguel, 2022. "Higher Inequality in Latin America: A Collateral Effect of the Pandemic," IDB Publications (Working Papers) 11937, Inter-American Development Bank.
    • Handle: RePEc:idb:brikps:11937
    DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.18235/0003967
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    1. Pérez Urdiales, María & Tojal Ramos Dos Santos, Carolina, 2024. "Water Expenditure, Service Quality and Inequality in Latin America and the Caribbean," IDB Publications (Working Papers) 13828, Inter-American Development Bank.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    COVID-19; Latin America; Income gaps; Transfers;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D63 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - Equity, Justice, Inequality, and Other Normative Criteria and Measurement
    • I14 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health and Inequality
    • I32 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - Measurement and Analysis of Poverty
    • I38 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - Government Programs; Provision and Effects of Welfare Programs
    • O15 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Economic Development: Human Resources; Human Development; Income Distribution; Migration

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