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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. 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).
    2. 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.
    3. 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.
    4. Muinelo-Gallo, Leonel, 2022. "Business cycles and redistribution: The role of government quality," Economic Systems, Elsevier, vol. 46(4).
    5. 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.
    6. 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.
    7. 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.
    8. 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.

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