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Nominal Devaluations, Inflation, and Inequality

Author

Listed:
  • Andrés Blanco
  • Andrés Drenik
  • Emilio Zaratiegui

Abstract

We study the distribution of labor income during large devaluations. Across countries, inequality falls after large devaluations within the context of a surge in inflation and a fall and subsequent recovery of real labor income. To better understand inequality dynamics, we use a novel administrative dataset covering the 2002 Argentinean devaluation. We show that following a homogeneous fall in real labor income across workers, the bottom of the income distribution recovers faster than the top. Low labor mobility and lack of union coverage among high-income workers explain their slow recovery.

Suggested Citation

  • Andrés Blanco & Andrés Drenik & Emilio Zaratiegui, 2025. "Nominal Devaluations, Inflation, and Inequality," American Economic Journal: Macroeconomics, American Economic Association, vol. 17(3), pages 270-310, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:aea:aejmac:v:17:y:2025:i:3:p:270-310
    DOI: 10.1257/mac.20230002
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • D31 - Microeconomics - - Distribution - - - Personal Income and Wealth Distribution
    • E25 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Consumption, Saving, Production, Employment, and Investment - - - Aggregate Factor Income Distribution
    • E31 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Prices, Business Fluctuations, and Cycles - - - Price Level; Inflation; Deflation
    • F31 - International Economics - - International Finance - - - Foreign Exchange
    • F44 - International Economics - - Macroeconomic Aspects of International Trade and Finance - - - International Business Cycles
    • O19 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - International Linkages to Development; Role of International Organizations
    • O24 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Development Planning and Policy - - - Trade Policy; Factor Movement; Foreign Exchange Policy

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