The Impact of Inequality on Growth, Human Development and Governance @EQUAL

A significant empirical literature in economics and political science explores the impact of inequality on major economic and political outcomes, in particular economic growth, human development and governance.

While the literature offers rich insights and employs diverse data and methods in considering socio-economic inequality, it is notable that existing studies rely almost exclusively on relative measures (such as the Gini index) whether based on income, wealth, or something else. However, there is strong suggestive evidence that absolute inequality matters more for many people at all levels of society; one prominent illustration being the core concern in the  UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of leaving no one behind in absolute poverty.

We recognize that inequality both impacts - and is impacted by - a wide range of economic and political factors. @EQUAL focuses on one side of this dynamic relationship, but in so doing, will also offer insights relevant to how inequality is formed and reproduced, and the role of institutions therein.

The project combines cross-national and within-country analysis, exploiting both existing datasets and collecting new data through surveys and lab-in-the-field experiments in two countries (Mozambique and Vietnam). It will employ diverse quantitative techniques in the analysis of both observational and experimental data.

You can follow the project and keep an eye on current events and research results at the project web site.