ДОСЛІДЖЕННЯ ДИФЕРЕНЦІАЦІЇ ДОХОДІВ НАСЕЛЕННЯ У КРАЇНАХ ЄВРОПИ В ПЕРІОД ГЛОБАЛІЗАЦІЇ

Abstract

The article is devoted to one of the most acute socio-economic problems of society – the differentiation of incomes. This phenomenon usually causes further inequality of access to basic public goods (quality health care, education, comfortable housing) and resources (financial, infrastructural, information, etc.). But at the same time, income inequality itself is a consequence of other types and manifestations of inequality. One of the seventeen sustainable development goals adopted by UN in 2015 is dedicated to overcoming inequality. The authors study the inequality of income distribution in European countries during globalization. They raise the issue of economic differentiation, assess the degree of convergence between the countries of Western and Eastern Europe in recent years. It is noted that differences exist not only between West and East, but also within subregions. Differentiation between member states and non-EU countries is particularly noticeable. The analysis of stratification of Europe on three indicators is carried out: GDP per capita, ratio 20:20 (quintile coefficient), Gini index. These inequalities are compared within and between countries. To be fair, the comparison is made in terms of two groups: large countries with a population of more than 1.5 million people, and countries with a population of less than 1.5 million people. The gap between the wealthy countries of Western Europe and the countries of Eastern Europe, whose residents are accustomed to receiving much lower incomes, stands out. The average national income of the adult population in non-EU European countries is only 34% of the European average. The countries with the lowest degree of inequality include the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Iceland. An analysis of inequality among European countries is needed to determine the best way to overcome income differentiation at the regional level. The authors conclude that, despite the gradual increase in income disparities, government policies based on the redistribution of income through taxes and transfers help Europe to remain the least unequal region of the world.