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Quantifying the contribution of a subpopulation to inequality: An application to Mozambique

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  • Carlos Gradín

Abstract

In this paper, I quantify the contribution of a subpopulation to inequality. This is defined as the sum of the contributions of its members, with these contributions computed as the impact on inequality of a small increase in the population mass at each point of the distribution (using the Recentered Influence Function). The decomposition is shown to verify various attractive properties. I also discuss alternative approaches used in the literature of factor inequality decompositions.

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  • Carlos Gradín, 2018. "Quantifying the contribution of a subpopulation to inequality: An application to Mozambique," WIDER Working Paper Series wp-2018-60, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
    • Handle: RePEc:unu:wpaper:wp-2018-60
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    Cited by:

    1. Carlos Gradín, 2021. "Inequality by Population Groups and Income Sources: Accounting for Inequality Changes in Spain During the Recession," Review of Income and Wealth, International Association for Research in Income and Wealth, vol. 67(2), pages 481-508, June.
    2. Carlos Gradín & Gabriela Zapata-Román, 2024. "Unpacking inequality of opportunity in Chile: the role of birth circumstances using a Shapley decomposition," Working Papers 676, ECINEQ, Society for the Study of Economic Inequality.
    3. Moisés Siúta & Felix Mambo & Ivan Manhique & Muna Shifa & Bento Munkuka, 2024. "Social inequality in Mozambique," Working Paper 4c931ac0-7a36-4df4-a007-3, Agence française de développement.
    4. Gradín, Carlos, 2024. "Revisiting the trends in global inequality," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 179(C).
    5. Giulia Barletta & Ines A. Ferreira & Vincenzo Salvucci, 2023. "Absolute or relative: perceptions of inequality among young adults in Mozambique," WIDER Working Paper Series wp-2023-32, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
    6. Frank Cowell & Emmanuel Flachaire, 2021. "Inequality Measurement: Methods and Data," Post-Print hal-03589066, HAL.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Inequality; Decomposition; Recentered influence function; Shapley; Marginal;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D31 - Microeconomics - - Distribution - - - Personal Income and Wealth Distribution
    • D63 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - Equity, Justice, Inequality, and Other Normative Criteria and Measurement
    • O15 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Economic Development: Human Resources; Human Development; Income Distribution; Migration

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