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Income Inequality and Economic Growth: An Analysis Using a Panel Data

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  • Mohamed Bouincha
  • Mohamed Karim

Abstract

A long time ago, economic growth was the main indicator of countries¡¯ economic health. However, since the 1970s, the analysis of the relationship between economic growth and other economic phenomena such as inequality has begun to grow (Sundrum, 1974). Much of the literature on the link between economic growth and income inequality is based on Kuznets revolutionary theory. The purpose of our article is to suspect the causality relationship between growth and inequality. To do this, we used data from 189 countries for the period between 1990 and 2015. We estimated a global model and three other of each category of countries in terms of development. In the global model, economic growth is insignificant even if its sign is positive. The same result appears in the developing country model and the moderately developed countries one. However, in the developed countries model, economic growth is negatively and statistically related to inequality. The Kuznets curve is approved in our study only when using human development indicator in the place of growth. Growth explain inequality¡¯s movement in our study only in the model of developed countries and its coefficient is negative.

Suggested Citation

  • Mohamed Bouincha & Mohamed Karim, 2018. "Income Inequality and Economic Growth: An Analysis Using a Panel Data," International Journal of Economics and Finance, Canadian Center of Science and Education, vol. 10(5), pages 242-253, May.
  • Handle: RePEc:ibn:ijefaa:v:10:y:2018:i:5:p:242-253
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    Cited by:

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    2. Linda Kadriji, 2024. "The Nexus Between Inequality and Economic Growth in European Transition Countries," Bulgarian Economic Papers bep-2024-04, Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, Sofia University St Kliment Ohridski - Bulgaria // Center for Economic Theories and Policies at Sofia University St Kliment Ohridski, revised Aug 2024.
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    5. Atta Ullah & Zhao Kui & Saif Ullah & Chen Pinglu & Saba Khan, 2021. "Sustainable Utilization of Financial and Institutional Resources in Reducing Income Inequality and Poverty," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-25, January.
    6. Tanti Novianti & Dian Verawati Panjaitan, 2022. "Income Inequality in Indonesia: Before and during the Covid-19 Pandemic," International Journal of Economics and Financial Issues, Econjournals, vol. 12(3), pages 29-37, May.
    7. Yohannes Kefale Mogess & Zerayehu Sime Eshete & Abadi Teferi Alemaw, 2023. "Economic growth and poverty reduction: Evidence from Sub‐Saharan African (SSA) countries," Poverty & Public Policy, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 15(2), pages 251-278, June.
    8. Sima Siami-Namini, 2019. "Agriculture and Non-Agriculture Growth, Inflation and Income Inequality in Developed and Developing Countries," International Journal of Economics and Finance, Canadian Center of Science and Education, vol. 11(11), pages 1-43, November.

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    JEL classification:

    • R00 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General - - - General
    • Z0 - Other Special Topics - - General

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