Inequality in China: Development, transition, and policy

Shi Li (), Terry Sicular () and Finn Tarp

No wp-2018-174, WIDER Working Paper Series from World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER)

Abstract: In this paper we describe the major trends in China's income inequality over the past 40 years and explain them as the outcome of four interleaved stories. The first story is a standard development story characterized by structural change, market development, labour absorption, and the Kuznets inverted-U path of inequality. The second is the economic transition story, in which changes in income distribution result from the shift from plan to market. Third is incomplete transition, with opportunities for rent-seeking, corruption, and hidden income.

Keywords: China; Inequality; Development Economics; Welfare policy; Structural change; Income inequality; Social protection (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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