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An agent-based model of trickle-up growth and income inequality

Author

Listed:
  • Elisa Palagi

    (SSSUP - Scuola Universitaria Superiore Sant'Anna = Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies [Pisa])

  • Mauro Napoletano

    (OFCE - Observatoire français des conjonctures économiques (Sciences Po) - Sciences Po - Sciences Po, GREDEG - Groupe de Recherche en Droit, Economie et Gestion - UNS - Université Nice Sophia Antipolis (1965 - 2019) - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique - UniCA - Université Côte d'Azur, SKEMA Business School - SKEMA Business School)

  • Andrea Roventini

    (SSSUP - Scuola Universitaria Superiore Sant'Anna = Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies [Pisa], OFCE - Observatoire français des conjonctures économiques (Sciences Po) - Sciences Po - Sciences Po)

  • Jean-Luc Gaffard

    (OFCE - Observatoire français des conjonctures économiques (Sciences Po) - Sciences Po - Sciences Po, GREDEG - Groupe de Recherche en Droit, Economie et Gestion - UNS - Université Nice Sophia Antipolis (1965 - 2019) - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique - UniCA - Université Côte d'Azur)

Abstract

We build an agent-based model to study how coordination failures, credit constraints, and unequal access to investment opportunities affect inequality and aggregate income dynamics. We show that macroeconomic conditions are affected by income distribution and that the model features trickle-up growth dynamics. Redistribution toward poorer households raises demand and benefits all agents' income growth. Simulations show that our model reproduces several stylized facts concerning income inequality and social mobility. Finally, fiscal policies facilitating access to investment opportunities by poor households have the largest impact, raising income and decreasing inequality, with policy timing being crucial.

Suggested Citation

  • Elisa Palagi & Mauro Napoletano & Andrea Roventini & Jean-Luc Gaffard, 2023. "An agent-based model of trickle-up growth and income inequality," Sciences Po Economics Publications (main) hal-04531031, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:spmain:hal-04531031
    DOI: 10.1016/j.econmod.2023.106535
    Note: View the original document on HAL open archive server: https://sciencespo.hal.science/hal-04531031v1
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    Cited by:

    1. is not listed on IDEAS
    2. Marco Ranaldi & Elisa Palagi, 2022. "Heterogeneity in Macroeconomics: The Compositional Inequality Perspective," LEM Papers Series 2022/30, Laboratory of Economics and Management (LEM), Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies, Pisa, Italy.
    3. Christl, Michael & De Poli, Silvia & Köppl-Turyna, Monika, 2025. "Does redistribution hurt growth? An empirical assessment of the redistribution–growth relationship in the European Union," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 149(C).
    4. Oswald, Yannick & Suchak, Keiran & Malleson, Nick, 2025. "Agent-based models of the United States wealth distribution with Ensemble Kalman Filter," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 229(C).
    5. repec:osf:socarx:fjcxb_v1 is not listed on IDEAS

    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • C63 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Mathematical Methods; Programming Models; Mathematical and Simulation Modeling - - - Computational Techniques
    • D31 - Microeconomics - - Distribution - - - Personal Income and Wealth Distribution
    • E63 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Macroeconomic Policy, Macroeconomic Aspects of Public Finance, and General Outlook - - - Comparative or Joint Analysis of Fiscal and Monetary Policy; Stabilization; Treasury Policy
    • E21 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Consumption, Saving, Production, Employment, and Investment - - - Consumption; Saving; Wealth

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