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Inequality of opportunity and income inequality in Spain: An analysis over time

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  • Ana Suárez Álvarez

    (University of Oviedo, Spain)

  • Ana Jesús López Menéndez

    (University of Oviedo, Spain)

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to contribute both theoretically and empirically to the study of Inequality of Opportunity in Spain. The analysis is carried out using microdata collected by the European Union Statistics on Income and Living Conditions (EU-SILC), which incorporate a wide variety of personal harmonised variables, allowing comparability with other countries. The availability of this database for years 2004 and 2010 is particularly relevant to analyse the impact of the economic crisis, the empirical evidence shows significant increases in both income inequality (17.24\%) and, more significantly, inequality of opportunity (62.34\%). According to our findings, the effect of circumstances on income distribution has intensified between the two years.

Suggested Citation

  • Ana Suárez Álvarez & Ana Jesús López Menéndez, 2016. "Inequality of opportunity and income inequality in Spain: An analysis over time," Working Papers 423, ECINEQ, Society for the Study of Economic Inequality.
    • Handle: RePEc:inq:inqwps:ecineq2016-423
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    circumstances; EU-SILC; income; inequality; opportunity.;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D31 - Microeconomics - - Distribution - - - Personal Income and Wealth Distribution
    • D63 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - Equity, Justice, Inequality, and Other Normative Criteria and Measurement
    • O15 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Economic Development: Human Resources; Human Development; Income Distribution; Migration

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