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Earnings Mobility in the EU: 1994-2001

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  • SOLOGON Denisa
  • O'DONOGHUE Cathal

Abstract

Using a consistent comparative dataset for 14 EU countries, we explore the earnings mobility-inequality linkage in the EU over the period 1994-2001 on two axes: first the evolution of short-term mobility and its link with cross-sectional inequality; second, the evolution of long-term mobility relative to short-term mobility and the implications for lifetime or long-term inequality. We use two types of mobility measures: (i) a rank measure derived from the changes in the individual ranks in the earnings distribution; (ii) a recent measure of mobility as an equalizer of longer-term incomes, complementary to the wellknown Shorrocks index. We find evidence supporting a negative association between the evolution of cross-sectional inequality and short-term rank mobility across the EU. Long-term, Denmark appears to have the most mobile earnings distribution with the second highest equalizing effect in the EU. The only disequalizing mobility in a lifetime perspective is found in Portugal. Besides making a substantive contribution to the literature on cross-national comparisons of earnings mobility at the EU level, our paper brings evidence to the debate regarding the ability of the Shorrocks index in capturing the true equalizing/disequalizing effect of mobility.

Suggested Citation

  • SOLOGON Denisa & O'DONOGHUE Cathal, 2010. "Earnings Mobility in the EU: 1994-2001," LISER Working Paper Series 2010-36, Luxembourg Institute of Socio-Economic Research (LISER).
    • Handle: RePEc:irs:cepswp:2010-36
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Luis Ayala & Carolina Navarro & Mercedes Sastre, 2011. "Cross-country income mobility comparisons under panel attrition: the relevance of weighting schemes," Applied Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 43(25), pages 3495-3521.
    2. Roland Benabou & Efe A. Ok, 2000. "Mobility as Progressivity: Ranking Income Processes According to Equality of Opportunity," Working Papers 150, Princeton University, School of Public and International Affairs, Discussion Papers in Economics.
    3. Rolf Aaberge & Anders Björklund & Markus Jäntti & Mårten Palme & Peder J. Pedersen & Nina Smith & Tom Wennemo, 2002. "Income Inequality and Income Mobility in the Scandinavian Countries Compared to the United States," Review of Income and Wealth, International Association for Research in Income and Wealth, vol. 48(4), pages 443-469, December.
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    5. John Creedy, 1998. "The Dynamics of Inequality and Poverty," Books, Edward Elgar Publishing, number 1484.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    panel data; wage distribution; inequality; mobility;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C23 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Models with Panel Data; Spatio-temporal Models
    • D31 - Microeconomics - - Distribution - - - Personal Income and Wealth Distribution
    • J31 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Wage Level and Structure; Wage Differentials
    • J60 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - General

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