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Earnings dynamics and inequality in the EU, 1994-2001

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  • SOLOGON Denisa
  • O'DONOGHUE Cathal

Abstract

Relying on a consistent cross-national comparative data set – ECHP, we explore the extent to which changes in cross-sectional earnings inequality in 14 EU countries over the period 1994 and 2001 reflect an increase in lifetime earnings inequality or in earnings instability. Equally weighted minimum distance methods are used to estimate the covariance structure of earnings and decompose earnings inequality into its permanent and transitory components. The increase in inequality reflects an increase in lifetime earnings inequality in four countries, and in earnings instability in two countries. Decreases in inequality reflect decreases in earnings instability in four countries, in lifetime inequality in two, and in both in rest.

Suggested Citation

  • SOLOGON Denisa & O'DONOGHUE Cathal, 2010. "Earnings dynamics and inequality in the EU, 1994-2001," LISER Working Paper Series 2010-34, Luxembourg Institute of Socio-Economic Research (LISER).
    • Handle: RePEc:irs:cepswp:2010-34
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    Cited by:

    1. Denisa Maria Sologon & Cathal O'Donoghue, 2014. "Shaping Earnings Insecurity: Labor Market Policy and Institutional Factors," Review of Income and Wealth, International Association for Research in Income and Wealth, vol. 60(S1), pages 205-232, May.
    2. Denisa Maria Sologon & O'Donoghue, Cathal, 2011. "Earnings Mobility in Europe: 1994-2001 : Do more flexible labour markets experience a higher earnings mobility?," MERIT Working Papers 2011-070, United Nations University - Maastricht Economic and Social Research Institute on Innovation and Technology (MERIT).
    3. Aedín Doris & Donal O’Neill & Olive Sweetman, 2013. "Identification of the covariance structure of earnings using the GMM estimator," The Journal of Economic Inequality, Springer;Society for the Study of Economic Inequality, vol. 11(3), pages 343-372, September.
    4. Denisa Maria Sologon & O'Donoghue, Cathal, 2011. "Shaping earnings instability: labour market policy and institutional factors," MERIT Working Papers 2011-077, United Nations University - Maastricht Economic and Social Research Institute on Innovation and Technology (MERIT).
    5. Frank A. Cowell & Philippe Kerm, 2015. "Wealth Inequality: A Survey," Journal of Economic Surveys, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 29(4), pages 671-710, September.
    6. Sologon, Denisa Maria & O'Donoghue, Cathal, 2010. "Earnings Dynamics and Inequality among Men in Luxembourg, 1988-2004: Evidence from Administrative Data," IZA Discussion Papers 5014, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    earnings; inequality earnings dynamics; permanent inequality; transitory inequality; minimum distance estimation;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C23 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Models with Panel Data; Spatio-temporal Models
    • D31 - Microeconomics - - Distribution - - - Personal Income and Wealth Distribution
    • J31 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Wage Level and Structure; Wage Differentials

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