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Income inequality in China: causes and policy responses

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  • Yixiao Zhou
  • Ligang Song

Abstract

The phenomenal economic growth in China has been accompanied by a rapid increase in income inequality. This paper reviews the historical trends and patterns of income inequality in China, discusses the potential causes underlying rising income inequality, and applies the functional distribution of income approach in understanding China’s income inequality. This analytical approach highlights how rising return to capital relative to wage incomes can be an important source for increasing income inequality in China. The paper provides the evidence which shows that the rapid economic growth in China has been relying on a model that pays high returns to various kinds of capital including financial capital and real estate, while the ownership of capital is very unequal. This finding prompts us to rethink about the causes of China’s income inequality and to formulate appropriate policies based on the new way of understanding this pressing issue of income distribution in China.

Suggested Citation

  • Yixiao Zhou & Ligang Song, 2016. "Income inequality in China: causes and policy responses," China Economic Journal, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 9(2), pages 186-208, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:rcejxx:v:9:y:2016:i:2:p:186-208
    DOI: 10.1080/17538963.2016.1168203
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    Cited by:

    1. Rod Tyers & Yixiao Zhou, 2023. "Automation and inequality with taxes and transfers," Scottish Journal of Political Economy, Scottish Economic Society, vol. 70(1), pages 68-100, February.
    2. Seungwoo Han, 2023. "Welfare regimes in Asia: convergent or divergent?," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 10(1), pages 1-14, December.
    3. Anning Hu & Xiaogang Wu & Tao Chen & Dongyu Li, 2023. "Family Socioeconomic Status and Chinese College Students’ Premarital Sexual Attitudes and Behavior," Population Research and Policy Review, Springer;Southern Demographic Association (SDA), vol. 42(3), pages 1-23, June.
    4. Rodríguez-Pose, Andrés & Wilkie, Callum & Zhang, Min, 2021. "Innovating in “lagging” cities: a comparative exploration of the dynamics of innovation in Chinese cities," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 120989, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    5. Zhonghao Zhang & Shimeng Sun & Wanzhen Chen & Xuesong He, 2023. "Spatiotemporal patterns in China's Minimal Living allowances: The urban‐rural gap and regional differences revealed through a national poverty alleviation program," Growth and Change, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 54(1), pages 214-233, March.
    6. Rod Tyers & Yixiao Zhou, 2023. "The Tech War: Distributional Consequences Of International Rivalry," Economics Discussion / Working Papers 23-07, The University of Western Australia, Department of Economics.
    7. Chen, Yuanyuan & Yuan, Meng & Zhang, Min, 2023. "Income inequality and educational expenditures on children: Evidence from the China Family Panel Studies," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 78(C).

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