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The Inequality (or the Growth) we Measure: Data Gaps and the Distribution of Incomes

Author

Listed:
  • Alvaredo, Facundo
  • De Rosa, Mauricio
  • Flores Beale, Ignacio
  • Morgan, Marc

Abstract

Large gaps exist between income estimates from inequality studies and macroeconomic statistics, questioning our representation of flows and the relevance of economic growth. We take stock of these gaps by confronting multiple datasets in Latin America, finding that surveys account for around half of macroeconomic income over the past twenty years. Less than half of this gap is due to conceptual differences, the remainder coming from growing measurement issues, which mainly concern capital incomes. Top tails in administrative data and surveys present diverging averages, especially for non-wage incomes, and different shapes. We discuss implications for both inequality levels and trends.

Suggested Citation

  • Alvaredo, Facundo & De Rosa, Mauricio & Flores Beale, Ignacio & Morgan, Marc, 2022. "The Inequality (or the Growth) we Measure: Data Gaps and the Distribution of Incomes," CEPR Discussion Papers 17135, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    • Handle: RePEc:cpr:ceprdp:17135
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    1. is not listed on IDEAS
    2. Alvaredo, Facundo & Bourguignon, François & Ferreira, Francisco H. G. & Lustig, Nora, 2023. "Seventy-five Years of Measuring Income Inequality in Latin America," IDB Publications (Working Papers) 13157, Inter-American Development Bank.
    3. Narcis Eduard Mitu & George Teodor Mitu, 2025. "Measuring Equitable Prosperity in the EU-27: Introducing the IDDO, a Composite Index of Growth and Income Inequality (2005–2024)," World, MDPI, vol. 6(3), pages 1-16, August.
    4. Demetrio Guzzardi & Salvatore Morelli, 2024. "A New Geography of Inequality: Top incomes in Italian Regions and Inner Areas," World Inequality Lab Working Papers halshs-04753481, HAL.
    5. Alvaredo, Facundo & Bourguignon, Francois & Ferreira, Francisco H. G. & Lustig, Nora, 2024. "Inequality Bands: Seventy-Five Years of Measuring Income Inequality in Latin America," IZA Discussion Papers 17201, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    6. repec:osf:socarx:b2yue_v1 is not listed on IDEAS
    7. De Rosa, Mauricio & Flores, Ignacio & Morgan, Marc, 2024. "More unequal or not as rich? Revisiting the Latin American exception," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 184(C).
    8. Mauricio De Rosa & Joan Vilá, 2023. "Beyond tax-survey combination: inequality and the blurry household-firm border," The Journal of Economic Inequality, Springer;Society for the Study of Economic Inequality, vol. 21(3), pages 537-572, September.
    9. repec:osf:socarx:akq89_v1 is not listed on IDEAS
    10. Mauricio De Rosa & Joan Vilá, 2022. "Beyond tax-survey combination: inequality and the blurry household-firm border," Documentos de Trabajo (working papers) 22-10, Instituto de Economía - IECON.

    More about this item

    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • D3 - Microeconomics - - Distribution
    • E01 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - General - - - Measurement and Data on National Income and Product Accounts and Wealth; Environmental Accounts
    • N36 - Economic History - - Labor and Consumers, Demography, Education, Health, Welfare, Income, Wealth, Religion, and Philanthropy - - - Latin America; Caribbean

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