Fluctuations, Uncertainty and Income Inequality in Developing Countries

Abstract

We analyze income inequality and high frequency movements in economic activity for low and high income developing countries (LIDC and HIDC). The impact of human capital, capital formation, and economic uncertainty on income inequality for LIDC and HIDC are also evaluated. We find strong evidence that business cycle fluctuations serve to exacerbate income inequality in HIDC while they help narrow the gap in LIDC. Importantly, volatility in output widens inequality across the board but to a consistently higher degree in HIDC. Schooling helps reduce income inequality in both country groups, while investment increases income inequality. Lastly, the Kuznets inverted U-curve hypothesis is confirmed for both LIDC and HIDC.