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Global income polarization: Relative and absolute perspectives

Author

Listed:
  • Vanesa Jorda
  • Miguel Niño-Zarazúa
  • Laurence Roope
  • Finn Tarp

Abstract

This paper presents the first global and regional estimates of polarization and bipolarization spanning the period 1960-2020. The study relies on group data to implement a flexible parametric model to obtain the global income distribution and polarization estimates. The study introduces a battery of sensitivity tests to assess the reliability of polarization estimates under various assumptions, with particular emphasis on the impact of survey under-coverage of top incomes on global polarization levels and trends.

Suggested Citation

  • Vanesa Jorda & Miguel Niño-Zarazúa & Laurence Roope & Finn Tarp, 2023. "Global income polarization: Relative and absolute perspectives," WIDER Working Paper Series wp-2023-146, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
    • Handle: RePEc:unu:wpaper:wp-2023-146
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Xavier Sala-i-Martin, 2006. "The World Distribution of Income: Falling Poverty and … Convergence, Period," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 121(2), pages 351-397.
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    Cited by:

    1. Mahler, Daniel Gerszon & Schoch, Marta & Lakner, Christoph & Nguyen, Minh Cong, 2025. "Predicting Income Distributions from Almost Nothing," Policy Research Working Paper Series 11034, The World Bank.

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