This papers examines changes in the distribution of per-worker-output across countries over the period 1960-98, with a particular focus on identifying the forces behind the hollowing out of the middle of the distribution and the associated emergence of a twin-peaks phenomenon. The main finding of the paper is that most of the change in shape of the world distribution of income between 1960-1998 can be accounted for by changes in the parameters driving the growth process. In particular, we show that role of physical capital investment and population growth in affecting output growth has increased substantially over the period and that this increase can account for all the hollowing-out of the distribution. In contrast, we do not find that changes in the distribution of variables played much of a role, nor do we find any significant effects coming through non-linear convergence mechanisms or increased importance of education. Our results suggest that research aimed at understanding changes in the world distribution of income should focus on explaining why the social returns to physical capital accumulation where so high over the period 1978-98. The paper ends by discussing elements that help understand this phenomena.
Download Info
To download:
If you experience problems downloading a file, check if you have the
proper application to
view it first. Information about this may be contained
in the File-Format links below. In case of further problems read
the IDEAS help
page. Note that these files are not on the IDEAS
site. Please be patient as the files may be large.
As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to look for a different version under "Related research" (further below) or search for a different version of it.
Publisher Info
Paper provided by National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc in its series NBER Working Papers with number
9240.
Length: Date of creation: Sep 2002 Date of revision: Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:9240
Note: LS PR Contact details of provider: Postal: National Bureau of Economic Research, 1050 Massachusetts Avenue Cambridge, MA 02138, U.S.A. Phone: 617-868-3900 Email: Web page: http://www.nber.org More information through EDIRC
For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its listing, contact: ().
Related research
Keywords:
Other versions of this item:
Find related papers by JEL classification: O33 - Economic Development, Technological Change, and Growth - - Technological Change - - - Technological Change: Choices and Consequences; Diffusion Processes O41 - Economic Development, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Growth and Aggregate Productivity - - - One, Two, and Multisector Growth Models
References listed on IDEAS Please report citation or reference errors to , or , if you are the registered author of the cited work, log in to your RePEc Author Service profile, click on "citations" and make appropriate adjustments.:
Cited by: (explanations, Please report citation or reference errors to , or , if you are the registered author of the cited work, log in to your RePEc Author Service profile, click on "citations" and make appropriate adjustments.)