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Microsimulation Analysis of COVID-19 and Inflation Effects on Romanian Household Income Dynamics

Author

Listed:
  • Eva Militaru

    (National Scientific Research Institute for Labour and Social Protection, 6-8 Povernei Street, 010643 Bucharest, Romania)

  • Amalia Cristescu

    (National Scientific Research Institute for Labour and Social Protection, 6-8 Povernei Street, 010643 Bucharest, Romania
    The Faculty of Theoretical and Applied Economics, The Bucharest University of Economic Studies, 15-17 Dorobanti Street, Sector 1, 010552 Bucharest, Romania)

  • Maria Denisa Vasilescu

    (National Scientific Research Institute for Labour and Social Protection, 6-8 Povernei Street, 010643 Bucharest, Romania
    Faculty of Economic Cybernetics, Statistics and Informatics, The Bucharest University of Economic Studies, 15-17 Dorobanti Street, Sector 1, 010552 Bucharest, Romania)

  • Larisa Stanila

    (National Scientific Research Institute for Labour and Social Protection, 6-8 Povernei Street, 010643 Bucharest, Romania)

Abstract

In recent years, EU member states have faced two significant crises: the COVID-19 pandemic and high inflation, exacerbated by geopolitical instability. These events have led to a decline in household purchasing power. Our study aims to quantify the impact of these crises on household income dynamics in Romania, using data from the EU Survey on Income and Living Conditions and the EUROMOD tax-benefit microsimulation model. We analyze income changes across demographic segments from 2019 to 2021 (COVID-19 period) and 2021 to 2023 (inflation crisis), focusing on household characteristics such as the presence and number of children, the gender of the household head, and the presence of elderly members. Our findings reveal that while disposable income increased from 2019 to 2021, the poorest 10% experienced the smallest gains. In 2022–2023, inflation eroded these increases, and the lower half of the income distribution struggled with reduced earnings and pensions. Despite this, the Gini coefficient for disposable income decreased from 2019 to 2023, indicating a reduced inequality. Our study highlighted that targeted public policy interventions are essential to support vulnerable households and mitigate the effects of economic shocks.

Suggested Citation

  • Eva Militaru & Amalia Cristescu & Maria Denisa Vasilescu & Larisa Stanila, 2024. "Microsimulation Analysis of COVID-19 and Inflation Effects on Romanian Household Income Dynamics," Economies, MDPI, vol. 12(12), pages 1-19, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jecomi:v:12:y:2024:i:12:p:344-:d:1544970
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Andrew E. Clark & Conchita D’Ambrosio & Anthony Lepinteur, 2021. "The fall in income inequality during COVID-19 in four European countries," The Journal of Economic Inequality, Springer;Society for the Study of Economic Inequality, vol. 19(3), pages 489-507, September.
    2. Adams-Prassl, Abi & Boneva, Teodora & Golin, Marta & Rauh, Christopher, 2020. "Inequality in the impact of the coronavirus shock: Evidence from real time surveys," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 189(C).
    3. Vanda Almeida & Salvador Barrios & Michael Christl & Silvia Poli & Alberto Tumino & Wouter Wielen, 2021. "The impact of COVID-19 on households´ income in the EU," The Journal of Economic Inequality, Springer;Society for the Study of Economic Inequality, vol. 19(3), pages 413-431, September.
    4. Andrew E. Clark & Conchita D’Ambrosio & Anthony Lepinteur, 2022. "Correction to: the Fall in Income Inequality during COVID-19 in Four European Countries," The Journal of Economic Inequality, Springer;Society for the Study of Economic Inequality, vol. 20(2), pages 503-507, June.
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