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The redistributive effect of social transfer programmes and taxes: A decomposition across countries

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  • Chen Wang
  • Koen Caminada
  • Kees Goudswaard

Abstract

The aim of this article is to offer detailed information of the redistributive impact of social transfer programmes and taxes in 28 Member countries of the Organisation for Economic Co‐operation and Development, employing data that have been computed from the Luxembourg Income Study's micro‐level database. We find that welfare states on average reduce inequality by 35 per cent. Social benefits have a much stronger redistributive impact than taxes. As far as social programmes are concerned, public pensions account for the largest reduction in income inequality, although the pattern is diverse across countries. To a lesser extent, social assistance, disability and family benefits also contribute to smaller income disparities.

Suggested Citation

  • Chen Wang & Koen Caminada & Kees Goudswaard, 2012. "The redistributive effect of social transfer programmes and taxes: A decomposition across countries," International Social Security Review, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 65(3), pages 27-48, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:intssr:v:65:y:2012:i:3:p:27-48
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1468-246X.2012.01435.x
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    Cited by:

    1. Elvire Guillaud & Matthew Olckers & Michaël Zemmour, 2020. "Four Levers of Redistribution: The Impact of Tax and Transfer Systems on Inequality Reduction," Review of Income and Wealth, International Association for Research in Income and Wealth, vol. 66(2), pages 444-466, June.
    2. Peter Haan & Daniel Kemptner & Victoria Prowse & Maximilian Schaller, 2025. "Insurance, redistribution, and the inequality of lifetime income," Quantitative Economics, Econometric Society, vol. 16(2), pages 565-613, May.
    3. Emile Cammeraat, 2020. "The relationship between different social expenditure schemes and poverty, inequality and economic growth," International Social Security Review, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 73(2), pages 101-123, April.
    4. Nanak Kakwani & Xiaobing Wang & Jing Xu & Ximing Yue, 2021. "Assessing the Social Welfare Effects of Government Transfer Programs: Some International Comparisons☆," Review of Income and Wealth, International Association for Research in Income and Wealth, vol. 67(4), pages 1005-1028, December.
    5. Kornek, Ulrike & Klenert, David & Edenhofer, Ottmar & Fleurbaey, Marc, 2021. "The social cost of carbon and inequality: When local redistribution shapes global carbon prices," Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, Elsevier, vol. 107(C).
    6. Nikola Šubová, 2023. "Komparácia krajín EÚ na základe nástrojov sociálnej politiky na zmiernenie finančnej zraniteľnosti domácností [Comparison of EU Countries Based on Social Policy Instruments to Mitigate Financial Vu," Politická ekonomie, Prague University of Economics and Business, vol. 2023(1), pages 23-45.
    7. Tausch, Arno, 2015. "Wo Frau Kanzlerin Angela Merkel irrt: Der Sozialschutz in der Welt, der Anteil Europas und die Beurteilung seiner Effizienz [Where Chancellor Angela Merkel got it wrong: social protection in the wo," MPRA Paper 66462, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    8. Zuobao Wang & Tianrun Lin & Yao Chen & Shurui Zhang, 2025. "Is it Actually Working Well? A Comparative Study of the Redistributive Effectiveness of Public Social Benefits in 33 Countries," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 179(1), pages 235-267, August.
    9. World Bank, 2022. "Global Economic Prospects, January 2022," World Bank Publications - Books, The World Bank Group, number 36519.
    10. Raziye Selim & Suat Küçükçifçi, 2025. "The Effect of Social Transfers on Income Inequality and Poverty in Türkiye," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Springer;Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), vol. 16(2), pages 8198-8220, June.
    11. Muinelo-Gallo, Leonel, 2022. "Business cycles and redistribution: The role of government quality," Economic Systems, Elsevier, vol. 46(4).
    12. Miranda-Lescano, Ronald & Muinelo-Gallo, Leonel & Roca-Sagales, Oriol, 2024. "Human development and inequalities: The importance of social public spending," Structural Change and Economic Dynamics, Elsevier, vol. 69(C), pages 363-377.
    13. Leonel Muinelo‐Gallo & Ronald Miranda Lescano, 2022. "Redistribution and efficiency: An empirical analysis of the relevant trade‐offs of welfare state fiscal policies," Review of Development Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 26(1), pages 562-586, February.
    14. Lucas Menescal, 2024. "Breaking down inequality: Can taxes be the great equalizer?," Working Papers REM 2024/0328, ISEG - Lisbon School of Economics and Management, REM, Universidade de Lisboa.

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