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Inequality Traps in South Africa: An overview and research agenda

Author

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  • Miquel Pellicer

    (SALDRU, School of Economics, University of Cape Town)

  • Vimal Ranchhod

    (School of Economics, University of Cape Town)

  • Mare Sarr

    (School of Economics, University of Cape Town)

  • Eva Wegner

    (SALDRU, School of Economics, University of Cape Town)

Abstract

There has been considerable effort in ascertaining with confidence the trends in income inequality in South Africa. South Africa has traditionally been among the most unequal countries in the world and continues to be so. Surprisingly, levels of inequality have not decreased despite the transition to democratic rule in the 1990s; if any, they seem to have increased. There has also been considerable work on the proximate causes of these high levels of inequality on the basis of inequality decompositions (See Leibbrandt, Levinsohn and McCrary 2010, Leibbrandt. Woolard, Finn and Argent 2010, and Bhorat et al. 2009 for recent analyses). However, much less is known about the underlying causes of this high level of inequality and of its persistence.

Suggested Citation

  • Miquel Pellicer & Vimal Ranchhod & Mare Sarr & Eva Wegner, 2011. "Inequality Traps in South Africa: An overview and research agenda," SALDRU Working Papers 57, Southern Africa Labour and Development Research Unit, University of Cape Town.
    • Handle: RePEc:ldr:wpaper:57
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