Multidimensional Inequality Across Three Developed Countries. (10th March 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rohde, Nicholas; Guest, Ross
• Is Part Of: Review of income and wealth. Series 64:Number 3(2018)
• Page Start: 576
• Page End: 591
• Publication Date: 2017-03-10
• Subjects: D31 -- D63; distribution -- equivalent income -- multidimensional indices -- welfare; National income -- Accounting -- Periodicals; 332.05
• DOI: 10.1111/roiw.12292
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0034-6586

Abstract

Abstract : This paper produces comparable estimates of multidimensional inequality for the U.S., Germany, and Australia. Two alternative approaches with differing interpretations are employed. The first method projects all facets of welfare onto a single variable which is then analyzed using standard univariate techniques. The second approach establishes equivalent‐income distributions that would lead to an equalization of welfare, such that the difference between this counterfactual and the true income distribution can be measured. This difference is then interpreted as the degree of income redistribution required to offset welfare inequality. Using data on permanent incomes, health scores, years of education, and leisure times, we observe much higher levels of inequality in the U.S. than in Germany or Australia. Our results are highly statistically significant and hold over a large variety of weighting specifications.