Effect of Deepening Finacial Sector on Income Gap in Six Asia Countries 2012-2016

Abstract

The financial sector has an important role in increasing a country’s economic growth, but the income gap is one of the main problems in economic growth in various countries. The financial sector has a strong influence on economic development, poverty alleviation and economic stability. This study aims to determine the effect of financial sector deepening on income inequality by using panel data from six countries, namely Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Singapore, China and Korea which are divided into two groups, namely lower middle income countries, namely Indonesia and the Philippines and upper middle / high income, namely Malaysia, Singapore, China and Korea in 2012-2016. By using the Panel Least Squares analysis technique, this study found results that were upper middle / high income; bank assets, money supply, stock traded have a positive effect; lending to the private sector; domestic money bank assets, private sector debt securities and stock market capitalization have a negative effect. Whereas in lower middle income countries; bank assets, money suply, stock market capitalization have a negative effect; stock traded has a positive effect; however, lending to the private sector, domestic money bank assets, government debt and private sector debt does not affect the income gap.
 
 Keywords: Financial Deepening, Income Gap, Asia