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Urban Development, Excessive Entry of Firms and Wage Inequality in Developing Countries

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Listed:
  • Beladi, Hamid

    (Asian Development Bank Institute)

  • Chao, Chi-Chur

    (Asian Development Bank Institute)

  • Ee, Mong Shan

    (Asian Development Bank Institute)

  • Hollas, Daniel

    (Asian Development Bank Institute)

Abstract

We examine the short- and long-term effects of urbanization, via favorable urban development policies, on income distribution and social welfare for a developing country. The urban manufacturing sector is characterized by imperfect competition and free entry. Urbanization shifts rural workers to the highly productive urban sector, while causing production in urban firms to expand because of scale economies. However, urbanization may worsen wage inequality between skilled and unskilled labor in the short term. In the long term, urbanization can attract new firms to the urban sector, and favorable urban development policies may result in excessive entry of firms, which can amplify wage inequality in the economy. This entry-amplifying effect is confirmed empirically, especially for low- and lower-middle-income countries. If the entry effect is not considered, the impact of urbanization on wage inequality could be understated by 18% for low- and lower-middle-income countries.

Suggested Citation

  • Beladi, Hamid & Chao, Chi-Chur & Ee, Mong Shan & Hollas, Daniel, 2017. "Urban Development, Excessive Entry of Firms and Wage Inequality in Developing Countries," ADBI Working Papers 653, Asian Development Bank Institute.
    • Handle: RePEc:ris:adbiwp:0653
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    3. Hamid Beladi & Chi‐Chur Chao & Kuo‐Hsuan Chin, 2024. "Cross‐ownership, business dynamism, and wage inequality in general equilibrium," Scottish Journal of Political Economy, Scottish Economic Society, vol. 71(4), pages 570-587, September.
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    5. Hari Bansha Dulal, 2019. "Cities in Asia: how are they adapting to climate change?," Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences, Springer;Association of Environmental Studies and Sciences, vol. 9(1), pages 13-24, March.
    6. Chi‐Chur Chao & Mong Shan Ee & Xuan Nguyen & Eden S. H. Yu, 2022. "Minimum wage, firm dynamics, and wage inequality: Theory and evidence​," International Journal of Economic Theory, The International Society for Economic Theory, vol. 18(3), pages 247-271, September.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    urbanisation; firm entry; wage inequality; developing economies;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J31 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Wage Level and Structure; Wage Differentials
    • R23 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Household Analysis - - - Regional Migration; Regional Labor Markets; Population
    • R58 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Regional Government Analysis - - - Regional Development Planning and Policy

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