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Assessing the efficiency of inequality changes in terms of poverty alleviation

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  • Florent Bresson

    (CERDI - Centre d'Études et de Recherches sur le Développement International - IRD - Institut de Recherche pour le Développement - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique - UCA - Université Clermont Auvergne)

Abstract

This paper introduces a novel analytical approach to assess the efficiency of inequality reduction in poverty alleviation. I develop a general transform of the Lorenz curve that enables the computation of point elasticities of poverty with respect to inequality while perfectly controlling for changes in inequality levels. Unlike previous methods, the suggested approach makes it possible to measure elasticities corresponding to observed inequality changes. It also provides a framework for benchmarking these elasticities. These elasticities are estimated for different subperiods using Brazilian income distribution data from 1981-2022. Results show the increasing powerfulness of inequality reduction as a lever for poverty alleviation. Moreover, while decreased inequality significantly contributed to poverty reduction during Brazil's celebrated poverty reduction period between 2003 and 2014, I observe that the distributional changes were not more pro-poor, compared with later subperiods, yet more efficient than in earlier subperiods in terms of poverty reduction.

Suggested Citation

  • Florent Bresson, 2025. "Assessing the efficiency of inequality changes in terms of poverty alleviation," CERDI Working papers hal-05229456, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:cdiwps:hal-05229456
    Note: View the original document on HAL open archive server: https://uca.hal.science/hal-05229456v1
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Angus Deaton, 2005. "ERRATUM: Measuring Poverty in a Growing World (or Measuring Growth in a Poor World)," The Review of Economics and Statistics, MIT Press, vol. 87(2), pages 395-395, May.
    2. Florent Bresson, 2010. "A general class of inequality elasticities of poverty," The Journal of Economic Inequality, Springer;Society for the Study of Economic Inequality, vol. 8(1), pages 71-100, March.
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