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Earnings Inequality in Australia: Changes and Causes

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  • Jeff Borland

    (Australian National University)

Abstract

This paper reviews research which has examined recent developments in earnings inequality in Australia. Three main issues are addressed. First, what have been the dimension and timing of changes in earnings inequality which have occurred? Second, how have earnings differentials between workers in different age groups and with different levels of educational attainment changed, and to what extent can those changes be explained by shifts in the relative demand for labour and relative supply of labour by level of skill? Third, what do we know about the causes of changes in earnings inequality?

Suggested Citation

  • Jeff Borland, 1996. "Earnings Inequality in Australia: Changes and Causes," Canadian International Labour Network Working Papers 05, McMaster University.
    • Handle: RePEc:mcm:cilnwp:05
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    File URL: http://socserv.mcmaster.ca/econ/rsrch/papers/CILN/cilnwp05.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Steven J. Davis, 1992. "Cross-Country Patterns of Change in Relative Wages," NBER Chapters, in: NBER Macroeconomics Annual 1992, Volume 7, pages 239-300, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    2. Jeff Borland & Roger Wilkins, 1996. "Earnings Inequality in Australia," The Economic Record, The Economic Society of Australia, vol. 72(216), pages 7-23, March.
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    10. Levy, Frank & Murnane, Richard J, 1992. "U.S. Earnings Levels and Earnings Inequality: A Review of Recent Trends and Proposed Explanations," Journal of Economic Literature, American Economic Association, vol. 30(3), pages 1333-1381, September.
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    Cited by:

    1. Paul W. Miller, 1997. "The Burden of Unemployment on Family Units: An Overview," Australian Economic Review, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research, vol. 30(1), pages 16-30, March.
    2. J. W. Nevile & Peter Saunders, 1998. "Globalization and the Return to Education in Australia," The Economic Record, The Economic Society of Australia, vol. 74(226), pages 279-285, September.
    3. Elizabeth Webster & Yi‐Ping Tseng, 2002. "The Determinants of Relative Wage Change in Australia," Australian Economic Review, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research, vol. 35(1), pages 70-84, March.
    4. Ross Kelly & Philip E.T. Lewis, 2003. "The New Economy and Demand for Skills," Australian Journal of Labour Economics (AJLE), Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre (BCEC), Curtin Business School, vol. 6(1), pages 135-152, March.

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