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Earnings Inequality

Author

Listed:
  • Peichl, Andreas

    (Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München)

  • Pestel, Nico

    (Maastricht University)

Abstract

Inequality has increased considerably in many Western countries over the past decades. When dealing with economic inequality as a research subject the question "inequality of what among whom" arises. Analyses of inequality are typically concerned with the distribution of wages, earnings or income and have been performed by different strands in the literature, mainly in public and in labor economics. We summarize these strands with a special focus on earnings which itself is the product of hourly wages and labor supply in terms of hours and weeks worked. In addition to inequality in labor market outcomes, we additionally pay special attention to equality of opportunity.

Suggested Citation

  • Peichl, Andreas & Pestel, Nico, 2014. "Earnings Inequality," IZA Policy Papers 89, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izapps:pp89
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    earnings inequality; wages; labor supply; equality of opportunity;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D31 - Microeconomics - - Distribution - - - Personal Income and Wealth Distribution
    • D33 - Microeconomics - - Distribution - - - Factor Income Distribution
    • D63 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - Equity, Justice, Inequality, and Other Normative Criteria and Measurement
    • J21 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Labor Force and Employment, Size, and Structure
    • J31 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Wage Level and Structure; Wage Differentials

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