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Persistent Low Inequality Despite Compositional Shifts in Austria

Author

Listed:
  • Martin Halla

    (Department of Economics, Vienna University of Economics and Business)

  • Andrea Weber

    (Department of Economics, Central European University)

Abstract

Overall, income inequality in Austria is moderate and has been stable in recent years. However, a look at employment statistics reveals important inequality trends in the labor market. This paper highlights five important shifts in the composition of the labor force: (i) a massive increase in female labor force participation, (ii) large shifts in the distribution of education, (iii) trends toward part-time work among women as well as men, (iv) persistent gender gaps in market and non-market work of parents, and (v) an increase in labor migration with a substantial share of cross-border commuters.

Suggested Citation

  • Martin Halla & Andrea Weber, 2024. "Persistent Low Inequality Despite Compositional Shifts in Austria," Department of Economics Working Papers wuwp367, Vienna University of Economics and Business, Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:wiw:wiwwuw:wuwp367
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    References listed on IDEAS

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      • Josef Zweimüller & Rudolf Winter-Ebmer & Rafael Lalive & Andreas Kuhn & Jean-Philippe Wuellrich & Oliver Ruf & Simon Büchi, 2009. "Austrian Social Security Database," NRN working papers 2009-03, The Austrian Center for Labor Economics and the Analysis of the Welfare State, Johannes Kepler University Linz, Austria.
    2. Christl, Michael & Köppl–Turyna, Monika & Lorenz, Hanno & Kucsera, Dénes, 2020. "Redistribution within the tax-benefits system in Austria," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 68(C), pages 250-264.
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    4. Thomas Blanchet & Lucas Chancel & Amory Gethin, 2022. "Why Is Europe More Equal than the United States?," American Economic Journal: Applied Economics, American Economic Association, vol. 14(4), pages 480-518, October.
    5. Stefan Jestl & Emanuel List, 2023. "Inequality, Redistribution, and the Financial Crisis: Evidence from Distributional National Accounts for Austria," Review of Income and Wealth, International Association for Research in Income and Wealth, vol. 69(1), pages 195-227, March.
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • J21 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Labor Force and Employment, Size, and Structure
    • J31 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Wage Level and Structure; Wage Differentials
    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination
    • J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth
    • J61 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - Geographic Labor Mobility; Immigrant Workers

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