Income Distribution and Poverty

There is widespread concern that economic growth has not been shared fairly, and that the current economic crisis further widens the gap between rich and poor. The work below examines trends in inequality and poverty for OECD and non-OECD countries. It analyses possible causes for growing inequalities, such as globalisation, skill-biased technological change and changes in policy fashion. And it assesses the effectiveness of social and labour market policies in tackling poverty and excessive inequalities.

What's new?

• January 2012: The Impact of Publicly Provided Services on the Distribution of Resources: Review of New Results and Methods (Social, Employment and Migration Working Paper No 130)
• January 2012: Less income inequality and more growth – are they compatible? (Going for Growth)
• December 2011: Launch of Divided We Stand: Why Inequality Keeps Rising 
• June 2011: Policy Forum: How to address Inequality and Poverty in South Africa? Reserve Bank, Pretoria
• 30 May - 1 June 2011: Annual Bank Conference on Development Economics (ABCDE) - economic thinkers and policy makers will discuss how inequalities of opportunity affect growth and development
• May 2011: OECD Policy Forum on Tackling Inequality - which policies can promote both stronger and fairer economic growth?  

• Tackling Inequalities in Brazil, China, India and South Africa  - The Role of Labour Market and Social Policies 
• Trends in South African Income Distribution and Poverty since the Fall of Apartheid, OECD Social, Employment and Migration Working Paper No.101 (2010)

• Policy Brief: In-Work Poverty: What can Governments do? (2009), from OECD Employment Outlook 2009 

• Growing Unequal? Income Distribution and Poverty in OECD Countries published in October 2008 includes media briefings, country notes and presentations

• Income Distribution and Poverty in OECD Countries in the Second Half of the 1990s, OECD Social, Employment and Migration Working Paper No.22 (2005)

• Policy Brief: Combating Poverty and Exclusion through Work (2005)

• Income Disparities in China - An OECD Perspective (2004)

• Income Distribution and Poverty in the OECD Area: Trends and Driving Forces; OECD Economic Studies, No.34 (2002)

• Trends and Driving Factors in Income Distribution and Poverty in the OECD Area, Labour Market and Social Policy Occasional Paper No.42 (2000)

• Income Distribution and Poverty in selected OECD Countries, Economics Department Working Paper No.189 (1998)