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The impact of 2010–11 Christchurch earthquakes on the individuals’ income by sector and income level

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Listed:
  • Yousef Abdeljawad

    (Victoria University of Wellington)

  • Ilan Noy

    (Victoria University of Wellington)

Abstract

We investigate the decade-long effects of the Christchurch earthquakes (2010–11) in Aotearoa New Zealand on personal incomes, for individuals working in different sectors and with differing incomes. Using a dynamic quantile difference-in-differences approach, we analyse comprehensive administrative individual-level income data from the tax authorities, matched with individual records from the 2018 Census. After 2011, earthquake-affected individuals' income rose, but in the rest of the Canterbury region (the rural and semi-urban areas surrounding Christchurch) incomes rose even more than incomes in the city of Christchurch, the most heavily earthquake-affected area. Most sectors saw income increases, with the first income quantile benefiting the most. We attribute the increase in incomes to reconstruction activities that followed the disaster, which boosted labour demand in that sector and ultimately raised wages more widely.

Suggested Citation

  • Yousef Abdeljawad & Ilan Noy, 2025. "The impact of 2010–11 Christchurch earthquakes on the individuals’ income by sector and income level," The Annals of Regional Science, Springer;Western Regional Science Association, vol. 74(2), pages 1-23, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:anresc:v:74:y:2025:i:2:d:10.1007_s00168-025-01392-4
    DOI: 10.1007/s00168-025-01392-4
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • D31 - Microeconomics - - Distribution - - - Personal Income and Wealth Distribution
    • Q54 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Climate; Natural Disasters and their Management; Global Warming

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