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Four Decades of Canadian Earnings Inequality and Dynamics Across Workers and Firms

Author

Listed:
  • Audra Bowlus
  • Émilien Gouin-Bonenfant
  • Huju Liu
  • Lance Lochner
  • Youngmin Park

Abstract

This paper studies the evolution of individual earnings inequality and dynamics in Canada from 1983 to 2016 using tax files and administrative records. Linking these individuals to their employers (and rich administrative records on firms) beginning in 2001, it also documents the relationship between the earnings dynamics of workers and the size and growth of their employers. It highlights three main patterns over this period: First, with a few exceptions (sharp increase in top 1% and declining gender gap), Canada experienced relatively modest changes in overall earnings inequality, volatility, and mobility between 1983 and 2016. Second, there is considerable variability in earnings inequality and volatility over the business cycle. Third, the earnings dynamics of individuals are strongly related to the size and employment growth of their employers.

Suggested Citation

  • Audra Bowlus & Émilien Gouin-Bonenfant & Huju Liu & Lance Lochner & Youngmin Park, 2021. "Four Decades of Canadian Earnings Inequality and Dynamics Across Workers and Firms," Staff Working Papers 21-20, Bank of Canada.
    • Handle: RePEc:bca:bocawp:21-20
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Blanco, Andrés & Diaz de Astarloa, Bernardo & Drenik, Andres & Moser, Christian & Trupkin, Danilo, 2021. "The Evolution of the Earnings Distribution in a Volatile Economy: Evidence from Argentina," MPRA Paper 105759, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    2. James Ashwell, 2021. "A Strengthening Position at the Bargaining Table? Understanding the Productivity-Median Wage Gap in Canada, 1976-2019," CSLS Research Reports 2021-09, Centre for the Study of Living Standards.
    3. Engbom, Niklas & Gonzaga, Gustavo & Moser, Christian & Olivieri, Roberta, 2021. "Earnings Inequality and Dynamics in the Presence of Informality: The Case of Brazil," MPRA Paper 105758, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    4. Elin Halvorsen & Serdar Ozkan & Sergio Salgado, 2021. "Earnings Dynamics and Its Intergenerational Transmission: Evidence from Norway," Working Papers 2021-015, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, revised 07 Jul 2022.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Econometric and statistical methods; Firm dynamics; Labour markets; Potential output; Productivity;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D22 - Microeconomics - - Production and Organizations - - - Firm Behavior: Empirical Analysis
    • D31 - Microeconomics - - Distribution - - - Personal Income and Wealth Distribution
    • E24 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Consumption, Saving, Production, Employment, and Investment - - - Employment; Unemployment; Wages; Intergenerational Income Distribution; Aggregate Human Capital; Aggregate Labor Productivity
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
    • J31 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Wage Level and Structure; Wage Differentials
    • J63 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - Turnover; Vacancies; Layoffs

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