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Human Capital Policies and the Distribution of Income: A Framework for Analysis and Literature Review

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  • Daron Acemoglu

Abstract

Income and wage inequality increased rapidly in a number of OECD economies. This report surveys the literature on the determinants of wage and income inequality and presents a framework for analyzing policy. The focus is on human capital policies, but other policies that could also reduce income inequality are considered. The report concludes that increased income inequality in OECD economies reflects greater wage inequality and higher skill premia and that the most likely cause of the rise in skill premia is technical change that has increased the demand for skills and education, though changes in labor market institutions, such as minimum wage laws and the importance of union bargaining, are also likely to have played some role. Although increasing the supply of skills may have some beneficial effects, the most useful policies to reduce inequality would be those that can close the gap of skills between the top and the bottom of the income distribution, such as policies to improve the quality of secondary schooling and to encourage on-the-job training.

Suggested Citation

  • Daron Acemoglu, 2001. "Human Capital Policies and the Distribution of Income: A Framework for Analysis and Literature Review," Treasury Working Paper Series 01/03, New Zealand Treasury.
    • Handle: RePEc:nzt:nztwps:01/03
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    File URL: https://treasury.govt.nz/sites/default/files/2007-10/twp01-03.pdf
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Dawood MAMOON, 2018. "Globalization, political orientation and wage inequality: From Donald Trump’s election to Angela Merkal’s re-election," Turkish Economic Review, KSP Journals, vol. 5(1), pages 12-21, March.
    2. Weshah A. Razzak & Jason C. Timmins, 2008. "A Macroeconomic Perspective On Skill Shortages And The Skill Premium In New Zealand," Australian Economic Papers, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 47(1), pages 74-91, March.
    3. Dawood Mamoon, 2012. "Do schooling years improve the earning capacity of lower income groups?," International Journal of Education Economics and Development, Inderscience Enterprises Ltd, vol. 3(1), pages 1-9.
    4. Ludger Wößmann, 2008. "Efficiency and equity of European education and training policies," International Tax and Public Finance, Springer;International Institute of Public Finance, vol. 15(2), pages 199-230, April.
    5. Bridget Daldy & John Gibson, 2005. "Is Computing Different? Comparing the Determinants of Computer-Related and Other Subject Matter Training in New Zealand," Australian Journal of Labour Economics (AJLE), Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre (BCEC), Curtin Business School, vol. 8(4), pages 291-308, December.
    6. Dean Hyslop & Dave Mare & Jason Timmins, 2003. "Qualifications, Employment and the Value of Human Capital, 1986-2001," Treasury Working Paper Series 03/35, New Zealand Treasury.
    7. Trinh Le & John Gibson & Les Oxley, 2005. "Measures of human capital: A review of the literature," Treasury Working Paper Series 05/10, New Zealand Treasury.
    8. Thorbecke, Erik & Charumilind, Chutatong, 2002. "Economic Inequality and Its Socioeconomic Impact," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 30(9), pages 1477-1495, September.
    9. Mamoon, Dawood, 2017. "Governance over Economics: Making Globalisation Good for the Poor," MPRA Paper 82910, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    10. Mamoon, Dawood, 2017. "Why International Trade Cause Inequality in Developing Countries," MPRA Paper 82268, University Library of Munich, Germany.

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