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Where do I stand in the EU? Income comparisons and perceptions

Author

Listed:
  • Bublitz, Elisabeth
  • Jäger, Julian
  • Wang, Hequn
  • Beblo, Miriam
  • Lohmann, Henning

Abstract

With a survey experiment conducted in Germany, Italy, Poland, and Sweden, we investigate how EU citizens rank themselves within the EU. In all four countries, (mis-)perceptions of EU income positions result primarily from respondents' (incomplete) information about their national position and their perceived country ranking within the EU. Low-income respondents tend to place themselves higher and richer respondents lower in both the national and EU income distribution. Respondents who are informed about their income position estimate their EU ranking more accurately in a follow-up survey. Our findings show that concepts of inequality at the EU level are empirically meaningful and that EU citizens have a reference frame beyond their own country.

Suggested Citation

  • Bublitz, Elisabeth & Jäger, Julian & Wang, Hequn & Beblo, Miriam & Lohmann, Henning, 2022. "Where do I stand in the EU? Income comparisons and perceptions," WiSo-HH Working Paper Series 66, University of Hamburg, Faculty of Business, Economics and Social Sciences, WISO Research Laboratory.
    • Handle: RePEc:zbw:uhhwps:66
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Mounir Karadja & Johanna Mollerstrom & David Seim, 2017. "Richer (and Holier) Than Thou? The Effect of Relative Income Improvements on Demand for Redistribution," The Review of Economics and Statistics, MIT Press, vol. 99(2), pages 201-212, May.
    2. Alberto Alesina & Stefanie Stantcheva & Edoardo Teso, 2018. "Intergenerational Mobility and Preferences for Redistribution," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 108(2), pages 521-554, February.
    3. Vladimir Gimpelson & Daniel Treisman, 2018. "Misperceiving inequality," Economics and Politics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 30(1), pages 27-54, March.
    4. Stefanie Stantcheva, 2021. "Perceptions and Preferences for Redistribution," NBER Working Papers 29370, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    5. Kristoffer B Hvidberg & Claus T Kreiner & Stefanie Stantcheva, 2023. "Social Positions and Fairness Views on Inequality," The Review of Economic Studies, Review of Economic Studies Ltd, vol. 90(6), pages 3083-3118.
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    1. Bublitz, Elisabeth & Wang, Hequn & Jäger, Julian & Beblo, Miriam & Lohmann, Henning, 2022. "Perceived income positions and attitudes towards EU inequality: A cross-country survey experiment," WiSo-HH Working Paper Series 70, University of Hamburg, Faculty of Business, Economics and Social Sciences, WISO Research Laboratory.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Perceptions; Inequality; European Union; Survey Experiment;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C91 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Laboratory, Individual Behavior
    • D31 - Microeconomics - - Distribution - - - Personal Income and Wealth Distribution
    • H24 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - Personal Income and Other Nonbusiness Taxes and Subsidies

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