The Fall in Income Inequality during COVID-19 in Five European Countries

Andrew E Clark (1, 2) , Conchita d'Ambrosio (3) , Anthony Lepinteur (3)

1 PSE - Paris School of Economics
2 PJSE - Paris Jourdan Sciences Economiques
3 University of Luxembourg [Luxembourg]

We here use panel data from the COME-HERE survey to track income inequality during COVID-19 in France, Germany, Italy, Spain and Sweden. Relative inequality in equivalent household disposable income among individuals changed in a hump-shaped way over 2020. An initial rise from January to May was more than reversed by September. Absolute inequality also fell over this period. As such, policy responses may have been of more benefit for the poorer than for the richer.

Mots clés: COVID-19; COME-HERE; Income Inequality

Domaines: Economies et finances

Andrew E Clark, Conchita d'Ambrosio, Anthony Lepinteur. The Fall in Income Inequality during COVID-19 in Five European Countries. 2021. ⟨halshs-03185534⟩