Income Differences Research Articles

Socioeconomic differences in working life expectancy: a scoping review

BackgroundIn the last decade, interest in working life expectancy (WLE) and socioeconomic differences in WLE has grown considerably. However, a comprehensive overview of the socioeconomic differences in WLE is lacking. The aim of this review is to systematically map the research literature to improve the insight on differences in WLE and healthy WLE (HWLE) by education, occupational class and income while using different ways of measuring and estimating WLE and to define future research needs.MethodsA systematic search was carried out in Web of Science, PubMed and EMBASE and complemented by relevant publications derived through screening of reference lists of the identified publications and expert knowledge. Reports on differences in WLE or HWLE by education, occupational class or income, published until November 2022, were included. Information on socioeconomic differences in WLE and HWLE was synthesized in absolute and relative terms.ResultsA total of 26 reports from 21 studies on educational and occupational class differences in WLE or HWLE were included. No reports on income differences were found. On average, WLE in persons with low education is 30% (men) and 27% (women) shorter than in those with high education. The corresponding numbers for occupational class difference were 21% (men) and 27% (women). Low-educated persons were expected to lose more working years due to unemployment and disability retirement than high-educated persons.ConclusionsThe identified socioeconomic inequalities are highly relevant for policy makers and pose serious challenges for equitable pension policies. Many policy interventions aimed at increasing the length of working life follow a one-size-fits-all approach which does not take these inequalities into account. More research is needed on socioeconomic differences in HWLE and potential influences of income on working life duration.

Disruption of hospital care during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic impacted socioeconomic groups differently: population based study using routine registration data

BackgroundDuring the COVID-19 pandemic, provision of non-COVID healthcare was recurrently severely disrupted. The objective was to determine whether disruption of non-COVID hospital use, either due to cancelled, postponed, or forgone care, during the first pandemic year of COVID-19 impacted socioeconomic groups differently compared with pre-pandemic use.MethodsNational population registry data, individually linked with data of non-COVID hospital use in the Netherlands (2017–2020). in non-institutionalised population of 25–79 years, in standardised household income deciles (1 = low, 10 = high) as proxy for socioeconomic status. Generic outcome measures included patients who received hospital care (dichotomous): outpatient contact, day treatment, inpatient clinic, and surgery. Specific procedures were included as examples of frequently performed elective and acute procedures, e.g.: elective knee/hip replacement and cataract surgery, and acute percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI). Relative risks (RR) for hospital use were reported as outcomes from generalised linear regression models (binomial) with log-link. An interaction term was included to assess whether income differences in hospital use during the pandemic deviated from pre-pandemic use.ResultsHospital use rates declined in 2020 across all income groups. With baseline (2019) higher hospital use rates among lower than higher income groups, relatively stronger declines were found for lower income groups. The lowest income groups experienced a 10% larger decline in surgery received than the highest income group (RR 0.90, 95% CI 0.87 – 0.93). Patterns were similar for inpatient clinic, elective knee/hip replacement and cataract surgery. We found small or no significant income differences for outpatient clinic, day treatment, and acute PCI.ConclusionsDisruption of non-COVID hospital use in 2020 was substantial across all income groups during the acute phases of the pandemic, but relatively stronger for lower income groups than could be expected compared with pre-pandemic hospital use. Although the pandemic’s impact on the health system was unprecedented, healthcare service shortages are here to stay. It is therefore pivotal to realise that lower income groups may be at risk for underuse in times of scarcity.

Uncovering Factors and Solutions to Gender Inequity in the Workplace

With differences in income, promotion, and opportunity continuing to impede progress toward workplace equality, persistent gender inequality in the workplace remains a major concern. The study examines at the complex interplay of factors that cause gender inequality, from cultural standards to organizational biases. A qualitative methodology is used to assess the data from various workplaces. The survey found significant gender differences in pay, representation in leadership roles, and access to professional development opportunities. Additionally, it shows how biases and cultural norms support the upkeep of these disparities. To address these issues, the research proposes a multifaceted approach that includes changes to the law, initiatives for diversity and inclusion, and tactics for personal empowerment. The study can improve society overall and create a more just workplace by putting these solutions into reality. This research explains the problem of gender inequality in the workplace and offers practical mitigation measures. By promoting more inclusive and egalitarian professional environments, we may foster the circumstances for a more just and progressive society.

The color of water: Racial and income differences in exposure to floods across US neighborhoods

AbstractWe provide a US national portrait of annual average exposure to floods across racial/ethnic and income groups, using predictions from the First Street Foundation flooding exposure model. Nationally, we find that Native Americans in inland neighborhoods and Hispanics in coastal ones face (statistically) significantly higher average exposure to flooding than non‐Hispanic Whites, even when neighborhood income composition is controlled. Surprisingly, non‐Hispanic Blacks and Asians generally have significantly lower average exposure to floods than non‐Hispanic Whites. Lower income groups exhibit substantially higher exposure in inland areas than higher income groups—but not in coastal areas—when neighborhood racial/ethnic composition is controlled.

Pendular Mobility and Income Differentials in Formal Work in Ceara, Brazil

Pendular Mobility and Income Differentials in Formal Work in Ceara, Brazil

Who receives most? Gendered consequences of divorce on public pension income in West Germany and Sweden

Abstract Sweden and West Germany have had persistently high divorce rates in recent decades, but these two welfare states were differently equipped to mitigate the economic consequences of divorce for individual security in old age: Sweden followed a gender-equal policy approach to enable women and men to achieve economic autonomy, while West Germany, following the male-breadwinner model, introduced the system of ‘divorce-splitting’ to account for differences in women's and men's income. Against this background, this study uses large-scale register data from the German Public Pension Fund and the Swedish population registers to examine how divorce is related to the monthly public old-age pension income of women and men. The main comparison groups are divorced and (re)married individuals who entered retirement between 2013 and 2018. We descriptively show annual income histories from ages 20 to 65, and calculate monthly public old-age pension income with respect to lifetime income and pension regulations, such as the supplements/deductions for ‘divorce-splitting’. Multiple ordinary least square regression models further examine how family status relates to monthly public old-age pension income by gender. The results reveal that women and men in Sweden experience similar working histories, although women's incomes are lower. This is also reflected in women still having lower pension incomes than men. However, divorced and married women show comparable pension incomes, while divorced men receive approximately 26 per cent less pension income than married men. In West Germany, divorced women have significantly higher pension incomes than married women. The system of ‘divorce-splitting’ increases women's and decreases men's pension incomes, which seems to equalise their pension incomes. However, both stay below a married man's pension income. The findings indicate economic inequality in public old-age pension income by family status in Sweden and West Germany.

Ethnoracial differences in income and safety net patterns among low‐income postpartum families before and during the Great Recession

AbstractIn the absence of paid family leave, postpartum low‐income unmarried women often rely on a patchwork of resources from wage earnings, public safety‐net programs, and informal familial support. The Great Recession (2007–2009) caused massive unemployment, with Black and Latine families disproportionately impacted by the economic fallout. Public safety‐net provisions attenuated economic hardship, yet it's unclear if postpartum low‐income women patched together comparable resources during the recession and if there were racially disparities in women's access to resources. Using a sample of low‐income unmarried women who gave birth between 2004 and 2011 from the Survey of Income and Public Program, we examine whether safety‐net provisions and familial support attenuated the fallout of the Great Recession by examining income patterns and safety‐net use (SNAP, WIC, and TANF) among postpartum low‐income unmarried women by ethnoracial group before and during the recession. Our findings suggest the Great Recession had a disparate negative impact on the economic well‐being of postpartum Black women, particularly through lower wage earnings. Increased SNAP income may have attenuated some, but not all, of the deleterious impact of the recession on Black women, and increased WIC participation may also have provided crucial support for addressing food insecurity among Black women. Implications for maternal and infant health and policy are discussed.

Racial and socioeconomic disparities in surgical care for post-prostate cancer treatment complications: A nationwide Medicare-based analysis.

To investigate the racial and socioeconomic (income) differences in receipt of and time to surgical care for urinary incontinence (UI) and erectile dysfunction (ED) occurring post-radical prostatectomy (RP) and/or radiation therapy (RT). Utilizing the Medicare Standard Analytical Files (SAF), a retrospective cohort study was performed on data of patients diagnosed with prostate cancer (PCa) from 2015 to 2021. Patients who underwent RP and/or RT and who subsequently developed UI and/or ED were grouped into four cohorts: RP-ED, RP-UI, RT-ED and RT-UI. County-level median household income was cross-referenced with SAF county codes, classified into income quartiles, and used as a proxy for patient income status. The rate of surgical care was compared between groups using two-sample t-test and log-rank test. Cox proportional hazards modelling was used to determine covariate-adjusted impact of race on time to surgical care. The rate of surgical care was 6.8, 3.61 3.07, and 1.54 per 100 person-years for the RP-UI, RT-UI, RP-ED, and RT-ED cohorts, respectively. Cox proportional 'time-to-surgical care' regression analysis revealed that Black men were statistically more likely to receive ED surgical care (RP-ED AHR:1.79, 95% CI:1.49-2.17; RT-ED AHR:1.50, 95% CI:1.11-2.01), but less likely to receive UI surgical care (RP-UI AHR:0.80, 95% CI:0.67-0.96) than White men, in all cohorts except RT-UI. Surgical care was highest among Q1 (lowest income quartile) patients in all cohorts except RT-UI. Surgical care for post-PCa treatment complications is low, and significantly impacted by racial and socioeconomic (income) differences. Prospective studies investigating the basis of these results would be insightful.

Productive zakat distribution in improving mustahik welfare: CIBEST model approach

Purpose — This research aims to determine the positive impact of the productive zakat program on Mustahik's welfare through increasing income and spiritual well-being and reducing poverty levels.Method — We employed a purposive sampling method in our sampling technique. The criteria for respondents selected as samples in this study were mustahiq, who received zakat from BAZNAS and were Muslim. The data for this research were obtained by distributing questionnaires directly through visits to Mustahiq's homes. The collected data were then processed using the Wilcoxon test and CIBEST model analysis. The Wilcoxon test determined the average difference in income before and after receiving zakat. Meanwhile, the CIBEST model was used to evaluate Mustahik's welfare.Result — The findings of this research show that mustahik recipients of productive zakat assistance can improve their financial conditions and materially enhance their circumstances. Overall, the research results confirm that the BAZNAS effective zakat program has had a positive impact on Mustahik's welfare, by increasing income, spiritual well-being, and reducing poverty levels.Practical implications — The distribution of productive zakat must continue to be improved, both in terms of the quality of its management and the utilization of abundant zakat funds, to achieve a more optimal positive impact on Mustahik's welfare.

A comparative analysis of the economics of cassava production and processing by IFAD VCDP participants and non-participants in Benue and Kogi States, Nigeria

This study analyzed the Economics of Cassava production and processing by IFAD VCDP participants and Non-participants in Benue and Kogi States, Nigeria. The objectives of the study were to: describe the socio-economic characteristics of the participants and non-participants along the value chain; estimate the cost and returns on production and processing of cassava by participants and non-participant respondents in the study area, and to identify the constraints to cassava production and processing in the study area. Two hypotheses were formulated and tested. There is no difference between the income of participants and non-participants The study employed the survey research design of descriptive type. Simple random sampling technique and Proportionate sampling (using Taro Yamane) were used to scientifically select 333 participants and 333 non – participants from the two states making 666 respondents. However only 664 questionnaires were found useful. Data collected were analyzed using frequencies, percentages, mean scores, and gross margin. Findings from the study revealed that majority of the respondents were males (52.71%), in the active age range of 31 – 50 years, married (89.31 %,), educated (84%) and had over five years’ experience (74.25%). Gross margin analysis showed that the participants had a gross margin of N792, 952 and Benefit-cost ratio of 6.64 as against N646, 961.76 and 5.83 by non-participant farmers respectively and N820, 374.10 and Benefit-cost ratio of 3.23 for participant processors and N452, 917.85 and 2.03 for non-participant processors respectively. Lack of funds (2.61), poor rural infrastructure (2.29), high transportation (2.42) and poor access to stem cuttings (2.44) constitute constraints to cassava production while lack of funds (2.90), poor rural infrastructure (2.44) and high transportation cost (2.15) constitute constraints to cassava processing. The z-test statistical analysis result revealed income differential of N264, 081 in favour of participants with a t-value of 12.0842 significant at 1% level (Pr. = 0.000). Conclusively, the study provides valuable insights into the dynamics of participants and non-participants in the IFAD VCDP programme, shedding light on their socioeconomic characteristics, and constraints. Notably, the participants in the programme demonstrated a higher mean income compared to non-participants, indicating the positive impact of IFAD project participation on income generation. The study among others recommends that policymakers explore options for providing financial assistance such as microcredit facilities, or grants to the participants, ensuring that financial literacy training accompany these initiatives to ensure responsible use of funds and investment in cassava-related activities.

Following in the footsteps of the successful spice farmers: Determinants of spice income in Tanzania

AbstractFactors influencing spice income in Tanzania are assessed, exploring household effects of spice diversification, socio‐economic and land characteristics on spice income. Spice diversification, household size, age and gender of the household head, non‐spice crops and off‐farm activities are factors influencing spice income. Results indicate that successful farmers can negotiate higher prices for most spices. This suggests that policymakers should encourage farmers to diversify production and supplement their income with non‐spice crops. Promoting cooperation among farmers, improving marketing infrastructure and implementing education programs could equip farmers with the necessary knowledge and skills to negotiate prices and reduce income differences among farmers.

An analysis of tax benefits by race and ethnicity for farm households

AbstractThis research simulates the impact on tax liabilities of five tax provisions that provide benefits to farm households by race and ethnicity. Using pooled data from the Agricultural Resource Management Survey (2017–2021), we find that, relative to White non‐Hispanic principal operator farm households, certain business tax benefits are less prevalent and of lower value for Hispanic, African American, and Native American principal operator farm households due to differences in income and investment levels. Household tax credits are significantly higher for Hispanic and Native American principal operator farm households and Asian principal operator farm households have significantly higher total tax benefits from the five provisions examined.

Initial Development and Validation of the Brief Internalized Heterosexist Racism Scale for Gay and Bisexual Black Men: A Measure of Internalized Heterosexist Racism.

We introduce internalized heterosexist racism (IHR), or the internalization of damaging stereotypes, harmful beliefs, and negative attitudes about being a sexual minority person of color. We also present the initial development and validation of the Brief Internalized Heterosexist Racism Scale for gay and bisexual Black men (IHR-GBBM), a unidimensional, 10-item measure of IHR. Exploratory factor analyses on an internet-obtained sample of gay and bisexual Black men (N = 312; Mean age = 30.36 years) show that the IHR-GBBM had evidence of good internal consistency, and good convergent, discriminant, concurrent, and incremental validity. The IHR-GBBM was positively correlated with internalized racism, internalized heterosexism, and discrimination (racist, heterosexist). IHR was also negatively correlated with race stigma consciousness, weakly positively correlated with sexual identity stigma consciousness, but not correlated with either race identity, sexual identity, or social desirability. Hierarchical regressions showed that the IHR-GBBM explained an additional variance of 2.8% and 3.1% in anxiety symptoms and substance use coping, respectively, after accounting for (1) sociodemographics, (2) internalized racism and internalized heterosexism, and (3) an interaction of internalized racism and internalized heterosexism. Older participants and those who were "out" about their sexual identity reported lower IHR. Those who did not know/want to report their HIV status reported greater IHR. Results revealed no sexual identity, sexual position, relationship status, income, education, or employment status differences in IHR. We hope the development of the IHR-GBBM spurs future research on predictors and consequences of IHR. We discuss limitations and implications for the future study of internalized heterosexist racism.

The dynamic of decision-making: Effect of intertemporal choice on clothing products

Individuals' emotional states (i.e., happy and sad emotions) might influence the intertemporal choice process, a decision of choosing between instant alternatives with small advantages or delayed alternatives with enormous benefits, when purchasing a product. This study tested the role of emotional states in individual intertemporal choices, especially when buying clothing products. 45 active students were involved as participants in this experimental study.' The results indicated that happy and sad emotions do not significantly differ in individuals' intertemporal choices, specifically in purchasing clothing products (ꭓ2 = 5.293, p > 0.05). This study also found that intertemporal choice was influenced by gender (F = 6.431, p < 0.05). This gender difference was significant (ꭓ2 = 4.099, p < 0.05), in which female participants had a higher average delayed gratification than male participants. Even though differences in income did not significantly impact the differences in intertemporal choice (ꭓ2 = 5.962, p > 0.05), individual income influenced intertemporal choice (F = 4.381, p < 0.05), in which participants with smaller incomes tended to choose cheaper clothing product. Moreover, the system of three thinking inhibited irrationality and made students more rational when making purchase decisions in accordance with their income or pocket money.

Household Livelihood Strategies and Forest Resource Use in Rural West Bengal, India

The economic contributions of forest resources to the well-being of rural households are enormous. However, the level of forest benefits and degree of forest reliance vary across households. Drawing on a sustainable livelihood framework, this article explores how these forest resource uses correlate to the choice of livelihood strategies of rural forest-dependent households with a specific focus on the increased income of households, filling income shortfall, coping with shocks and livelihood diversification. Data were collected from 407 rural forest-dependent households in West Bengal, India. Based on the share of forest income in total household income, households were classified into different livelihood strategy groups. One-way ANOVA was run to test the income differences among these groups. The forest extractive strategy was found least income-generating of all livelihood strategies. Multinomial logit regression was carried out to identify the asset-based explanatory variables that influence livelihood strategy choices and forest dependency of the studied households. Analyses show that households’ differential access to or endowment of livelihood assets determines the choice of a rural household’s livelihood strategy and that forest resource uses of the households are livelihood strategy driven. Asset-poor households should be given opportunities to pursue livelihood activities with higher economic returns. JEL Classifications: Q23, Q56, Q57

The positionality of goods and the positional concern’s origin

This paper investigates what goods are positional, the degree of individuals’ positional concern, and their possible drivers for a sample of Uruguayan younger. The participants’ degree of positional concern is generated using a choice experimental approach. The study combines longitudinal information about participants’ perceptions of the visibility of the goods and their reference groups and randomized information treatments to prime participants into competing narratives regarding (i) the goods, (ii) gender, and (iii) sources of inequality in society. The main findings are: (1) the visibility of the goods would not be a necessary condition for their position: jewelry, cars, and health insurance are positional goods; (2) relative income matters, but less than relative consumption of these goods; (3) the positional concern is heterogeneous at the individuals level with a bimodal distribution: one group of individuals has a high prevalence of relative concern, while the other is positional-neutral; (4) there are no differences by gender, visibility perceptions and declared reference group; and (5) individuals are less likely to report positional concerns (and inequality aversion) when differences in income come from effort and inheritance.

Redistributive policy and redistribution preferences: the effects of the Moscow redevelopment program

ABSTRACT How does inclusion in social policy programs strengthen individuals’ support for redistribution, and lead to spillovers in support for future social policy programs? We study a unique dataset of 1,300 Moscow residents to estimate the effect of participating in a government-sponsored redevelopment program on preferences for redistributive social policy. Our design exploits features of the program designed to foster institutional trust by engaging citizens in the policy design process. We report a positive effect: individuals in buildings slated for redevelopment are more likely to agree that the government should reduce income differences between rich and poor, provide for the unemployed, and provide public housing. Our findings suggest that increased trust in the government is a channel through which program participation affects redistribution preferences, show how programs can be used strategically to promote a redistributive agenda, and suggest a pathway for the co-persistence of redistribution preferences and redistributive state policies.

Determining rural farmers' income: A case of mushroom farming in North Central Nigeria

The study appraised the involvement of rural farmers in mushroom farming as a paradigm shift for economic development in North Central, Nigeria. The study used 389 respondents sampled through multi-stage sampling technique from three States and the Federal Capital Territory. Descriptive statistics and t-test were used to analyse the data collected. Results showed that the farming of mushroom in the study area was dominated by males, who were married and were well educated. They were young and active with an average household size of 5 persons. The farmers had high levels of involvement in mushroom production and the average income earned by the farmers before and after adding mushroom to their crops were N360,539.58 and N426,092.55, respectively. It was found that mushroom farming attracted a reasonable amount of income because about N65,552.97 was the difference in the average income earned by the farmers after adding mushroom to their crop production activities. Several coping strategies like formation of cooperative groups and engagement of extension agents in training farmers on input use were very important strategies that could help boost mushroom production and the respondents also acknowledged that income generated from mushroom production can help them to alleviate their poverty levels. The study recommended that farmers that are into mushroom production should be encouraged to form cooperative groups so that they can be able to pull their resources together and build a strong base for information sourcing and dissemination as well as getting financial support for their farming activities.

A note on Sen’s representation of the Gini coefficient: Revision and repercussions

AbstractSen (1973 and 1997) presents the Gini coefficient of income inequality in a population as follows. “In any pair-wise comparison the man with the lower income can be thought to be suffering from some depression on finding his income to be lower. Let this depression be proportional to the difference in income. The sum total of all such depressions in all possible pair-wise comparisons takes us to the Gini coefficient.” (This citation is from Sen 1973, p. 8.) Sen’s verbal account is accompanied by a formula (Sen 1997, p. 31, eq. 2.8.1), which is replicated in the text of this note as equation (1). The formula yields a coefficient bounded from above by a number smaller than 1. This creates a difficulty, because the “mission” of a measure of inequality defined on the unit interval is to accord 0 to perfect equality (maximal equality) and 1 to perfect inequality (maximal inequality). In this note we show that when the Gini coefficient is elicited from a neat measure of the aggregate income-related depression of the population that consists of the people who experience income-related depression, then the obtained Gini coefficient is “well behaved” in the sense that it is bounded from above by 1. We conjecture a reason for a drawback of Sen’s definition, and we present repercussions of the usage of the “well-behaved” Gini coefficient.

Analisis Penerapan Akuntansi Berbasis Akrual atas Pendapatan menurut Undang-Undang Perpajakan pada PT. Merapi Utama Pharma Medan

The purpose of writing this thesis is to examine the application of accrual-based accounting to income carried out by PT. Merapi Utama Pharma Medan, in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. This research uses descriptive analysis methodology. The methodology used in this research involves the use of descriptive statistical analysis for data analysis purposes. The second category of data used in this research consists of information originating from official company documents. Data collection methods used in this research include interviews, surveys, and examination of financial records and other related documents. This research tests and evaluates the implementation of income accrual accounting in accordance with Indonesian laws and regulations (Tax Law) at PT. Merapi Utama Pharmacy, Medan. This research is supported by the use of accessible data, allowing the author to obtain important findings. Company PT. Merapi Utama Pharma Medan has not fully implemented payroll accounting practices in accordance with the requirements and deadlines specified in the relevant tax regulations. Reconciliation reports are generated due to differences in the accounting treatment of income and expenses between the two systems. Financial reconciliation can be classified into two categories based on their duration: permanent and temporary. Financial statements are needed to reconcile the difference between positive and negative cash flow variances. Differences in taxable income can be caused by the recognition of certain expenses in the tax records which are not considered as such in the financial records; These expenses have the capacity to reduce an organization's taxable income.