How polarized is the global income distribution?

TY - JOUR

T1 - How polarized is the global income distribution?

AU - Roope, Laurence

AU - Niño-Zarazúa, Miguel

AU - Tarp, Finn

PY - 2018/6

Y1 - 2018/6

N2 - The interest in the level of global inequality has surged in recent years. This paper complements existing estimates of global inequality by providing the first estimates of the level of bipolarization of the global income distribution. During 1975–2010, global bipolarization declined substantially according to ‘relative’ measures, while it increased according to ‘absolute’ measures. The results mirror trends in global inequality over the same period.

AB - The interest in the level of global inequality has surged in recent years. This paper complements existing estimates of global inequality by providing the first estimates of the level of bipolarization of the global income distribution. During 1975–2010, global bipolarization declined substantially according to ‘relative’ measures, while it increased according to ‘absolute’ measures. The results mirror trends in global inequality over the same period.

KW - Faculty of Social Sciences

KW - Polarization

KW - Bipolarization

KW - Global polarization

KW - Global inequality

KW - Polarization measures

U2 - 10.1016/j.econlet.2018.03.013

DO - 10.1016/j.econlet.2018.03.013

M3 - Journal article

SN - 0165-1765

VL - 167

SP - 86

EP - 89

JO - Economics Letters

JF - Economics Letters

ER -