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Measurement and Decomposition Analysis of Occupational Income Inequality in China

Author

Listed:
  • Jing Yuan

    (School of Statistics, Shandong Technology and Business University, Yantai, Shandong 264005, China)

  • Teng Ma

    (Penglai Sub-branch, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Limited Company, Yantai, Shandong 264005, China)

  • Yinghui Wang

    (School of Statistics, Shandong Technology and Business University, Yantai, Shandong 264005, China)

  • Zongwu Cai

    (Department of Economics, The University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045, USA)

Abstract

Using the China CFPS database, this paper measures the degree of intra-occupational inequality in China with the Pareto coefficient and uses the GE index to decompose the top income gap by region as well as by industry. The empirical results show that, firstly, the degree of income inequality between occupations in China has increased significantly in recent years. The provinces with a higher degree of income inequality between occupations are mostly located in the more economically developed regions in the central and eastern parts of the country, while the degree of inequality between occupations in the western part is lower. Secondly, the highest-income occupations are mainly in the manufacturing industry, with relatively high levels in the construction industry, the education sector, the wholesale and retail trade, and public administration and social organizations, while the levels in other occupations are relatively low. Lastly, the top income gap primarily originates from within industries. However, the contribution rate of the top income gap between industries is gradually increasing, while the contribution rate of the top income gap within industries is gradually decreasing.

Suggested Citation

  • Jing Yuan & Teng Ma & Yinghui Wang & Zongwu Cai, 2025. "Measurement and Decomposition Analysis of Occupational Income Inequality in China," WORKING PAPERS SERIES IN THEORETICAL AND APPLIED ECONOMICS 202502, University of Kansas, Department of Economics, revised Jan 2025.
    • Handle: RePEc:kan:wpaper:202502
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Jing Yuan & Mengjie Han & Jinxin Cao & Zongwu Cai, 2025. "Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Occupational Income Inequality in China," WORKING PAPERS SERIES IN THEORETICAL AND APPLIED ECONOMICS 202504, University of Kansas, Department of Economics, revised Mar 2026.

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    JEL classification:

    • D31 - Microeconomics - - Distribution - - - Personal Income and Wealth Distribution
    • E25 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Consumption, Saving, Production, Employment, and Investment - - - Aggregate Factor Income Distribution

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