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The Evolution of Income Inequality in the United States, Its Consequences, and Some Policy Measures

Author

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  • Tanweer Akram
  • Khawaja Mamun

Abstract

This paper discusses the key concepts and main stylized facts concerning household real income and income inequality in the United States in recent decades. It explains the widely used summary measures of income distribution, which reveal that income inequality in the US has been steadily rising. It explores the economic implications and social consequences of the evolution of household real income and income inequality and considers ongoing debates about policy measures to mitigate the adverse effects of elevated income inequality, such as universal basic income and job guarantees.

Suggested Citation

  • Tanweer Akram & Khawaja Mamun, 2026. "The Evolution of Income Inequality in the United States, Its Consequences, and Some Policy Measures," Economics Working Paper Archive wp_1109, Levy Economics Institute.
    • Handle: RePEc:lev:wrkpap:wp_1109
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • D10 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - General
    • D31 - Microeconomics - - Distribution - - - Personal Income and Wealth Distribution
    • D63 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - Equity, Justice, Inequality, and Other Normative Criteria and Measurement
    • E02 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - General - - - Institutions and the Macroeconomy
    • E64 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Macroeconomic Policy, Macroeconomic Aspects of Public Finance, and General Outlook - - - Incomes Policy; Price Policy

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