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Inequality and poverty in a developing economy: Evidence from regional data (Spain, 1860-1930)

Author

Listed:
  • Francisco J. Beltran Tapia

    (University of Cambridge)

  • Julio Martinez-Galarrage

    (Universitat de Valencia)

Abstract

Apart from measuring inequality and poverty at the provincial level in Spain between 1860 and 1930, this paper empirically assesses the relationship between economic growth and both inequality and destitution. The results, on the one hand, confirm the presence of a KuznetsÕ curve. However, although growing incomes did not directly contribute to reducing inequality, at least during the early stages of modern economic growth, other processes associated with economic growth significantly improved the situation of the bottom part of the population. On the other hand, growing incomes and lower inequality levels are shown to have been pro-poor.

Suggested Citation

  • Francisco J. Beltran Tapia & Julio Martinez-Galarrage, 2015. "Inequality and poverty in a developing economy: Evidence from regional data (Spain, 1860-1930)," Working Papers 0078, European Historical Economics Society (EHES).
    • Handle: RePEc:hes:wpaper:0078
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Inequality; economics growth; economic history; Spain; Kuznets curve;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • O10 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - General
    • N13 - Economic History - - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics; Industrial Structure; Growth; Fluctuations - - - Europe: Pre-1913
    • N14 - Economic History - - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics; Industrial Structure; Growth; Fluctuations - - - Europe: 1913-
    • I30 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - General

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