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Two decades of top income shares in Honduras

Author

Listed:
  • Del Carmen, Giselle
  • Garriga, Santiago
  • Ponce, Wilman
  • Scot, Thiago

Abstract

This study constructs distributional national accounts for Honduras from 2003 to 2019, integrating household surveys, administrative tax records, and national account aggregates. It assembles comprehensive data on formal income for high-income individuals, including information on corporate shareholders, which allows corporate profits to be assigned to their owners. Findings reveal a high and persistent inequality: the top 1 percent highest earners received approximately 30 percent of total pre-tax income, placing Honduras among the most unequal countries in the world. Capital income, mostly undistributed corporate profits, represent close to half of income for the top 0.1% of earners, highlighting its role in driving top income dynamics. Finally, using a panel of tax records, we also document that not only inequality is mostly unchanged over two decades, but the identity of top earners is also persistent — over half of those observed in the top 0.1% will stay there in a three year horizon.

Suggested Citation

  • Del Carmen, Giselle & Garriga, Santiago & Ponce, Wilman & Scot, Thiago, 2025. "Two decades of top income shares in Honduras," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 246(C).
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:pubeco:v:246:y:2025:i:c:s004727272500060x
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jpubeco.2025.105362
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Inequality; Top income; Administrative registries; Honduras;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • H23 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - Externalities; Redistributive Effects; Environmental Taxes and Subsidies
    • H31 - Public Economics - - Fiscal Policies and Behavior of Economic Agents - - - Household
    • H71 - Public Economics - - State and Local Government; Intergovernmental Relations - - - State and Local Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue
    • I38 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - Government Programs; Provision and Effects of Welfare Programs
    • J31 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Wage Level and Structure; Wage Differentials
    • J32 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Nonwage Labor Costs and Benefits; Retirement Plans; Private Pensions
    • J33 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Compensation Packages; Payment Methods

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