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The evolution and determination of earnings inequality in post-apartheid South Africa

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  • Arden Finn
  • Murray Leibbrandt

Abstract

In this paper we identify some of the drivers of changes in the distribution of earnings and earnings inequality in the South African labour market between 2000 and 2014. Although the overall level of earnings inequality between 2000 and 2011 was high and relatively stable, there were nonetheless some interesting shifts in the factors generating inequality. The earnings data from mid-2012 to 2014, however, show a steep increase in inequality.

Suggested Citation

  • Arden Finn & Murray Leibbrandt, 2018. "The evolution and determination of earnings inequality in post-apartheid South Africa," WIDER Working Paper Series wp-2018-83, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
    • Handle: RePEc:unu:wpaper:wp-2018-83
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    File URL: https://www.wider.unu.edu/sites/default/files/Publications/Working-paper/PDF/wp2018-83.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. David Lam & Arden Finn & Murray Leibbrandt, 2015. "Schooling Inequality, Returns to Schooling, and Earnings Inequality: Evidence from Brazil and South Africa," WIDER Working Paper Series wp-2015-050, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
    2. Arden Finn & Murray Leibbrandt & David Lam, 2015. "Schooling inequality, returns to schooling, and earnings inequality: Evidence from Brazil and South Africa," WIDER Working Paper Series 050, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
    3. Martin Wittenberg, 2017. "Wages and Wage Inequality in South Africa 1994–2011: Part 1 – Wage Measurement and Trends," South African Journal of Economics, Economic Society of South Africa, vol. 85(2), pages 279-297, June.
    4. Arden Finn, 2015. "A National Minimum Wage in the Context of the South African Labour Market," SALDRU Working Papers 153, Southern Africa Labour and Development Research Unit, University of Cape Town.
    5. Martin Wittenberg, 2017. "Wages and Wage Inequality in South Africa 1994–2011: Part 2 – Inequality Measurement and Trends," South African Journal of Economics, Economic Society of South Africa, vol. 85(2), pages 298-318, June.
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    Cited by:

    1. Andrew Kerr, 2021. "Measuring earnings inequality in South Africa using household survey and administrative tax microdata," WIDER Working Paper Series wp-2021-82, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
    2. Jacqueline Mosomi & Mrtin Wittenberg, 2020. "The labor market in South Africa, 2000–2017," IZA World of Labor, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA), pages 475-475, April.
    3. Jeanne Terblanche & Dawie van Lill & Hylton Hollander, 2023. "Fiscal policy and dimensions of inequality in South Africa: A time-varying coefficient approach," Working Papers 05/2023, Stellenbosch University, Department of Economics.

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