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Inequality (Global)

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Abstract

The seemingly inexorable rise in global inequality from the early 19th century may have reached a plateau at the end of the 20th century, although there are disputes about the methodology underlying that conclusion. Increasing global inequality in the 20th century was driven largely by increasing income gaps between nations. Inequality within countries fell sharply at the beginning of the 20th century, rising slightly towards the end. The strong economic growth of the Chinese economy is tending to reduce global inequality as China moves up towards the middle of the income ladder.

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Dowrick, S. (2018). Inequality (Global). In: The New Palgrave Dictionary of Economics. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-349-95189-5_2540

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