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Inequality in China – Trends, Drivers and Policy Remedies

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  • Ms. Sonali Jain-Chandra
  • Niny Khor
  • Rui Mano
  • Johanna Schauer
  • Mr. Philippe Wingender
  • Juzhong Zhuang

Abstract

China has experienced rapid economic growth over the past two decades and is on the brink of eradicating poverty. However, income inequality increased sharply from the early 1980s and rendered China among the most unequal countries in the world. This trend has started to reverse as China has experienced a modest decline in inequality since 2008. This paper identifies various drivers behind these trends – including structural changes such as urbanization and aging and, more recently, policy initiatives to combat it. It finds that policies will need to play an important role in curbing inequality in the future, as projected structural trends will put further strain on equity considerations. In particular, fiscal policy reforms have the potential to enhance inclusiveness and equity, both on the tax and expenditure side.

Suggested Citation

  • Ms. Sonali Jain-Chandra & Niny Khor & Rui Mano & Johanna Schauer & Mr. Philippe Wingender & Juzhong Zhuang, 2018. "Inequality in China – Trends, Drivers and Policy Remedies," IMF Working Papers 2018/127, International Monetary Fund.
    • Handle: RePEc:imf:imfwpa:2018/127
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    3. Daniele Checchi & Andrej Cupak & Teresa Munzi & Janet Gornick, 2018. "Empirical challenges comparing inequality across countries: The case of middle-income countries from the LIS database," WIDER Working Paper Series 149, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
    4. Leonid M. Grigoryev & Victoria A. Pavlyushina, 2019. "Relative social inequality in the world: Rigidity against the economic growth, 1992–2016," Russian Journal of Economics, ARPHA Platform, vol. 5(1), pages 46-66, April.
    5. Qi, Guanqiu & Shi, Wenming & Lin, Kun-Chin & Yuen, Kum Fai & Xiao, Yi, 2020. "Spatial spillover effects of logistics infrastructure on regional development: Evidence from China," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 135(C), pages 96-114.
    6. Yi, Yaqun & Wang, Yunhui & Shu, Chengli, 2020. "Business model innovations in China: A focus on value propositions," Business Horizons, Elsevier, vol. 63(6), pages 787-799.
    7. Fayazi, Mahmood & Yeh, Emily T. & Li, Fan, 2019. "Development and divergent post-disaster trajectories in a mountain village: Temporal dynamics of differentiation after the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 124(C), pages 1-1.
    8. Peng, Huamin & Qi, Lin & Wan, Guowei & Li, Bingqin & Hu, Bo, 2020. "Child population, economic development and regional inequality of education resources in China," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 110(C).
    9. Lu Jiang & Xingpeng Chen & Bing Xue, 2019. "Features, Driving Forces and Transition of the Household Energy Consumption in China: A Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(4), pages 1-20, February.
    10. Rui Mano & Jiayi Zhang, 2018. "China’s Rebalancing: Recent Progress, Prospects and Policies," IMF Working Papers 2018/243, International Monetary Fund.
    11. Beladi, Hamid & Chao, Chi-Chur & Ee, Mong Shan & Yu, Eden S.H., 2019. "Capital market distortion, firm entry and wage inequality," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 56(C), pages 1-1.
    12. Daniele Checchi & Andrej Cupak & Teresa Munzi & Janet Gornick, 2018. "Empirical challenges comparing inequality across countries: The case of middle-income countries from the LIS database," WIDER Working Paper Series wp-2018-149, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
    13. Martin de Jong, 2019. "From Eco-Civilization to City Branding: A Neo-Marxist Perspective of Sustainable Urbanization in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(20), pages 1-14, October.
    14. Daniele Checchi & Andrej Cupak & Teresa Munzi & Janet Gornick, 2018. "Empirical challenges comparing inequality across countries," LIS Working papers 756, LIS Cross-National Data Center in Luxembourg.

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