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Inequality and the import demand function

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  • Antonis Adam
  • Margarita Katsimi
  • Thomas Moutos

Abstract

In this paper we assess the empirical importance of changes in inequality on the demand for imports by examining panel data for 59 developing and developed countries for the 1970-1997 period. We find significant evidence supporting that inequality has a large influence on the demand for imports. Moreover we find that this influence is positive for high-income countries (countries that mainly produce and export high quality varieties of vertically differentiated products) and negative for low-income countries (countries that produce and export low-quality varieties of vertically differentiated products). These findings are explained by developing a model of trade in vertically differentiated products. Copyright 2012 Oxford University Press 2011 All rights reserved, Oxford University Press.

Suggested Citation

  • Antonis Adam & Margarita Katsimi & Thomas Moutos, 2012. "Inequality and the import demand function," Oxford Economic Papers, Oxford University Press, vol. 64(4), pages 675-701, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:oup:oxecpp:v:64:y:2012:i:4:p:675-701
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    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10.1093/oep/gpr050
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    Cited by:

    1. Makram El‐Shagi & William C. Sawyer & Kiril Tochkov, 2022. "The income elasticity of import demand: A meta‐survey," Pacific Economic Review, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 27(1), pages 18-41, February.
    2. Gu, Xinhua & Tam, Pui Sun & Lei, Chun Kwok, 2021. "The effects of inequality in the 1997–98 Asian crisis and the 2008–09 global tsunami: The case of five Asian economies," Journal of International Money and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 110(C).
    3. Antonis Adam & Margarita Katsimi & Thomas Moutos, 2012. "Inequality and the import demand function," Oxford Economic Papers, Oxford University Press, vol. 64(4), pages 675-701, October.
    4. Antonis Adam & Thomas Moutos, 2012. "Capital Importers Pay More for their Imports," CESifo Working Paper Series 3723, CESifo.
    5. Kammas, Pantelis & Litina, Anastasia & Palivos, Theodore, 2013. "The Quality of Public Education in Unequal Societies: The Role of Tax Institutions," MPRA Paper 52193, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    6. Kammas, Pantelis & Sarantides, Vassilis, 2020. "Democratisation and tax structure in the presence of home production: Evidence from the Kingdom of Greece," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 177(C), pages 219-236.
    7. Ioanna Konstantakopoulou, 2020. "Further Evidence on Import Demand Function and Income Inequality," Economies, MDPI, vol. 8(4), pages 1-12, October.
    8. Antonis Adam & Panos Hatzipanayotou & Thomas Moutos, 2015. "Labour Market Regulation, Fiscal Consolidation, and the Success of Current Account Adjustments," DEOS Working Papers 1517, Athens University of Economics and Business.
    9. Xinhua Gu & ChunKwok Lei & Li Sheng & Qingbin Zhao, 2021. "Global current account imbalances and the link between income and consumption inequality," Review of International Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 29(3), pages 557-572, August.
    10. Zuhal Ozbay Das, 2021. "Inequality and the Import Demand in Turkey," Istanbul Journal of Economics-Istanbul Iktisat Dergisi, Istanbul University, Faculty of Economics, vol. 71(71-2), pages 395-410, December.
    11. Chang, Xiao & An, Tongliang & Tam, Pui Sun & Gu, Xinhua, 2020. "National savings rate and sectoral income distribution: An empirical look at China," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 61(C).
    12. Cícero, Vinicius Curti & Lima, Gilberto Tadeu, 2023. "Functional distribution of income as a determinant of importing behavior: An empirical analysis," Structural Change and Economic Dynamics, Elsevier, vol. 65(C), pages 393-405.
    13. Sugra Ingilab Humbatova & Natig Gadim-Ogli Hajiyev, 2020. "The Impact of Oil Factor on the Car Import in Azerbaijan," International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy, Econjournals, vol. 10(4), pages 450-462.
    14. Giuseppe Celi, 2021. "The Labour Market Effects of International Trade in the Presence of Vertical Product Differentiation: Some Methodological Remarks in Retrospect," JRFM, MDPI, vol. 14(3), pages 1-26, March.
    15. Nomfundo Portia Vacu & Nicholas Mbaya Odhiambo, 2022. "Examining the determinants of import demand in Tanzania: An ARDL approach," International Entrepreneurship Review, Centre for Strategic and International Entrepreneurship at the Cracow University of Economics., vol. 8(1), pages 65-75.
    16. Cícero, Vinicius Curti & Heras-Recuero, Laura, 2025. "The Consumption Side of Trade Shocks: Inequality Dynamics and Luxury Imports," SocArXiv 9kh2g_v1, Center for Open Science.
    17. Adam, Antonis & Moutos, Thomas, 2014. "Do capital importing countries pay higher prices for their imports of goods?," Journal of International Money and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 40(C), pages 95-108.

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