Human Capital Investment, Inequality and Economic Growth

Kevin Murphy and Robert Topel

No 21841, NBER Working Papers from National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc

Abstract: We treat rising inequality is an equilibrium outcome in which human capital investment fails to keep pace with rising demand for skills. Investment affects skill supply and prices on three margins: the type of human capital in which to invest; how much to acquire; and the intensity of use. The latter two represent the intensive margins of human capital acquisition and utilization. These choices are substitutes for the creation of new skilled workers, yet they are complementary with each other, magnifying inequality. When skill-biased technical change drives economic growth, greater inequality reduces growth.

JEL-codes: D2 D24 D31 D33 J24 J31 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2016-01
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-gro and nep-hrm
Note: LS
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (34)

Published as Kevin M. Murphy & Robert H. Topel, 2016. "Human Capital Investment, Inequality, and Economic Growth," Journal of Labor Economics, vol 34(S2), pages S99-S127.

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