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A Common Base Answer to the Question “Which Country Is Most Redistributive?”

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  • Peter J. Lambert
  • Runa Nesbakken
  • Thor O. Thoresen

Abstract

We believe that what most authors have in mind when referring to the “most redistributive country” is a tax and transfer schedule that is most redistributive across all pre‐tax and transfer income distributions. In order to measure each country's tax and transfer redistribution according to the same baseline, we suggest using the transplant‐and‐compare method of Dardanoni and Lambert (2002, Journal of Public Economics 86, 99–122) to establish a common base. The redistributive effects of countries’ tax and transfer schedules are illustrated by employing microdata on eight countries from the Luxembourg Income Study (LIS). Of these eight countries, Finland is found to be the most redistributive country, according to the common base method.

Suggested Citation

  • Peter J. Lambert & Runa Nesbakken & Thor O. Thoresen, 2020. "A Common Base Answer to the Question “Which Country Is Most Redistributive?”," Scandinavian Journal of Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 122(4), pages 1467-1479, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:scandj:v:122:y:2020:i:4:p:1467-1479
    DOI: 10.1111/sjoe.12366
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Bernhard Hammer & Michael Christl & Silvia De Poli, 2020. "Redistribution across Europe: How much and to whom?," Working Papers 593, ECINEQ, Society for the Study of Economic Inequality.
    2. Nuria Badenes Plá & Borja Gambau Suelves & José M. Labeaga, 2023. "Counterfactual Assessment in the Design of Tax Reforms: Model Decomposition of Revenue and Redistribution Effects," Hacienda Pública Española / Review of Public Economics, IEF, vol. 245(2), pages 179-208, June.

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