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Income Inequality in New Zealand, 1935–2014

Author

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  • John Creedy
  • Norman Gemmell
  • Loc Nguyen

Abstract

Trends in income inequality are increasingly being discussed by economists and policy makers. In New Zealand, income inequality indices increased during the late 1980s and early 1990s, with limited change thereafter. But little is known about the levels and changes of such indices over prior decades. Based on previously unexplored data from Statistics New Zealand Official Yearbooks and Inland Revenue, this article reports estimates for the Gini index of income inequality for New Zealand from the mid†1930s to the present. Comparisons with estimates for Australia for 1942–2001 reveal some remarkable commonalities.

Suggested Citation

  • John Creedy & Norman Gemmell & Loc Nguyen, 2018. "Income Inequality in New Zealand, 1935–2014," Australian Economic Review, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research, vol. 51(1), pages 21-40, March.
  • Handle: RePEc:bla:ausecr:v:51:y:2018:i:1:p:21-40
    DOI: 10.1111/1467-8462.12240
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Gemmell, Norman, 2021. "Economic Lessons for Tax Policy Advisers," Working Paper Series 21109, Victoria University of Wellington, Chair in Public Finance.
    2. Erauskin, Iñaki & Turnovsky, Stephen J., 2022. "International financial integration, the level of development, and income inequality: Some empirical evidence," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 82(C), pages 48-64.

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