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Volatility widens inequality. Could aid and remittances help?

Author

Listed:
  • Lisa Chauvet

    (IRD, LEDa, PSL, UMR DIAL, Université Paris Dauphine
    Ferdi)

  • Marin Ferry

    (DIAL, LEDa, IRD, Université Paris-Dauphine, Université PSL)

  • Patrick Guillaumont

    (Ferdi)

  • Sylviane Guillaumont Jeanneney

    (Ferdi
    Université Clermont Auvergne)

  • Sampawende J.-A. Tapsoba

    (International Monetary Fund)

  • Laurent Wagner

    (Ferdi)

Abstract

We analyse the relationship between income volatility and inequality and the conditional role played by aid and remittances. Using a panel of 142 countries for the period 1973–2012, we confirm a well-established finding among the literature that income volatility has an adverse impact on inequality, and that the poorest people are the most exposed to these fluctuations. However, while aid and remittances do not seem to have a clear direct impact on inequality, we uncover robust evidence that suggests that aid helps dampen the negative effects of volatility on the distribution of income, while remittances do not.

Suggested Citation

  • Lisa Chauvet & Marin Ferry & Patrick Guillaumont & Sylviane Guillaumont Jeanneney & Sampawende J.-A. Tapsoba & Laurent Wagner, 2019. "Volatility widens inequality. Could aid and remittances help?," Review of World Economics (Weltwirtschaftliches Archiv), Springer;Institut für Weltwirtschaft (Kiel Institute for the World Economy), vol. 155(1), pages 71-104, February.
  • Handle: RePEc:spr:weltar:v:155:y:2019:i:1:d:10.1007_s10290-018-0331-7
    DOI: 10.1007/s10290-018-0331-7
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    3. Biljana Tashevska & Daniela Bojadjieva & Gunter Merdzan, 2023. "The Effects Of Remittances On Poverty And Inequality Alleviation In Selected Central And South-East European Countries," Shaping Post-COVID World – Challenges for Economic Theory and Policy, in: Aleksandra Praščević & Miomir Jakšić & Mihail Arandarenko & Dejan Trifunović & Milutin Ješić (ed.),Shaping Post-COVID World – Challenges for Economic Theory and Policy, chapter 9, pages 183-207, Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Belgrade.
    4. Chang, Shinhye & Gupta, Rangan & Miller, Stephen M. & Wohar, Mark E., 2019. "Growth volatility and inequality in the U.S.: A wavelet analysis," Physica A: Statistical Mechanics and its Applications, Elsevier, vol. 521(C), pages 48-73.
    5. Robert Stojanov & Daniel Němec & Libor Žídek, 2019. "Evaluation of the Long-Term Stability and Impact of Remittances and Development Aid on Sustainable Economic Growth in Developing Countries," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(6), pages 1-18, March.
    6. Sevde Arpaci‐Ayhan, 2023. "Foreign aid as a catalyst for improving productive capabilities in recipients," Journal of International Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 35(5), pages 738-760, July.
    7. Avom, Désiré & Kamguia, Brice & Ngameni, Joseph Pasky & Njangang, Henri, 2021. "How does terms of trade volatility affect macroeconomic volatility? The roles of financial development and institutions," International Economics, Elsevier, vol. 168(C), pages 98-114.
    8. Désiré Avom & Brice Kamguia & Joseph Pasky Ngameni, 2021. "Does volatility hinder economic complexity?," Economics Bulletin, AccessEcon, vol. 41(3), pages 1187-1202.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Volatility; Inequality; Aid; Remittances;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F24 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - Remittances
    • F35 - International Economics - - International Finance - - - Foreign Aid
    • O15 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Economic Development: Human Resources; Human Development; Income Distribution; Migration

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