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The Relationship between Structural Change and Inequality: A Conceptual Overview with Special Reference to Developing Asia

Author

Listed:
  • Joshua AIZENMAN

    (Department of Economics, University of California, Santa Cruz)

  • Minsoo LEE

    (Economics and Research Department, Asian Development Bank (ADB))

  • Donghyun PARK

    (Economics and Research Department, Asian Development Bank (ADB))

Abstract
Structural change has a far-reaching impact on inequality. It exposes the population to challenges and opportunities. Foreign trade and technological progress have been widely put forth as a structural driver of inequality. Broader structural change, such as demographic transition, can also impinge upon inequality. Structural change in developing Asia has been unprecedented in its scale and speed. The heterogeneity of the population implies that the adjustment capacity to these changes varies. The fundamental solution to mitigating the adjustment costs arising from structural change lies in empowering individuals to become more productive, adaptable, and versatile through access to education and employment. Structural change exerts a significant effect on inequality in both advanced and developing countries. The experiences of the advanced economies entail valuable lessons for developing Asia. Extensive structural change is both a cause and consequence of the exceptionally rapid economic growth, which enabled developing Asia to raise living standards and reduce poverty at a historically unprecedented rate. The region has already begun the difficult and complex task of addressing inequality arising from structural change. There is a growing recognition that more sustainable growth supported by broad-based political and social support requires a growth strategy, which provides equality of opportunity, especially in education and employment. The newly developing more inclusive growth philosophy envisions expanded social protection systems and social safety nets to protect the poor and the vulnerable.

Suggested Citation

  • Joshua AIZENMAN & Minsoo LEE & Donghyun PARK, 2012. "The Relationship between Structural Change and Inequality: A Conceptual Overview with Special Reference to Developing Asia," Working Papers DP-2012-13, Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA).
    • Handle: RePEc:era:wpaper:dp-2012-13
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    2. Paul, Saumik, 2016. "Heterogeneous Structural Transformation and Growth Incidence across the Income Distribution: the Kuznets Curve Revisited," CEI Working Paper Series 2016-1, Center for Economic Institutions, Institute of Economic Research, Hitotsubashi University.
    3. Rahul Anand & Saurabh Mishra & Shanaka J. Peiris, 2013. "Inclusive Growth Revisited," World Bank Publications - Reports 22618, The World Bank Group.
    4. Bruno Martorano & Donghyun Park & Marco Sanfilippo, 2017. "Catching-up, structural transformation, and inequality: industry-level evidence from Asia," Industrial and Corporate Change, Oxford University Press and the Associazione ICC, vol. 26(4), pages 555-570.
    5. Hokmollahi , Yasaman & taiebnia , Ali & Souri , Ali, 2021. "Investigating the Effect of Structural Changes and Trade Liberalization on Total Factor Productivity in Iran (1991-2018)," Journal of Money and Economy, Monetary and Banking Research Institute, Central Bank of the Islamic Republic of Iran, vol. 16(1), pages 71-92, March.
    6. Aribah Aslam & Amjad Naveed & Ghulam Shabbir, 2021. "Is it an institution, digital or social inclusion that matters for inclusive growth? A panel data analysis," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 55(1), pages 333-355, February.
    7. Bruno Martorano & Marco Sanfilippo, 2015. "Structural Change and Wage Inequality in the Manufacturing Sector: Long Run Evidence from East Asia," Oxford Development Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 43(2), pages 212-231, June.
    8. Ibrahim Mohamed Ali Ali, 2023. "Income inequality, economic growth, and structural changes in Egypt: new insights from quantile cointegration approach," Economic Change and Restructuring, Springer, vol. 56(1), pages 379-407, February.
    9. Owen Eli Ceballos Mina & Abelardo de Anda Casas, 2021. "Estructura productiva laboral y pobreza en México: un análisis municipal en tres regiones," Revista Desarrollo y Sociedad, Universidad de los Andes,Facultad de Economía, CEDE, vol. 88(4), pages 129-168, July.
    10. Ningsih, Caria & Choi, Yong-Jae, 2018. "An Effect of Internet Penetration on Income Inequality in Southeast Asian Countries," 22nd ITS Biennial Conference, Seoul 2018. Beyond the boundaries: Challenges for business, policy and society 190399, International Telecommunications Society (ITS).
    11. Aaron Flaaen & Ejaz Ghani & Saurabh Mishra, 2013. "How to Avoid Middle-Income Traps?," World Bank Publications - Reports 22602, The World Bank Group.
    12. Flaaen, Aaron & Ghani, Ejaz & Mishra, Saurabh, 2013. "How to avoid middle income traps ? evidence from Malaysia," Policy Research Working Paper Series 6427, The World Bank.
    13. Rahul Anand & Mr. Saurabh Mishra & Mr. Shanaka J Peiris, 2013. "Inclusive Growth: Measurement and Determinants," IMF Working Papers 2013/135, International Monetary Fund.
    14. Leimbach, Marian & Hübler, Michael & Mahlkow, Hendrik & Montrone, Lorenzo & Bukin, Eduard & Felbermayr, Gabriel & Kalkuhl, Matthias & Koch, Johannes & Marcolino, Marcos & Pothen, Frank & Steckel, Jan , 2024. "Macroeconomic structural change likely increases inequality in India more than climate policy," Open Access Publications from Kiel Institute for the World Economy 302045, Kiel Institute for the World Economy (IfW Kiel).
    15. Alireza Shakibaei & MohammadReza Ahmadinejad, 2016. "Investigating the Structural Changes of Tax in Iran," Iranian Economic Review (IER), Faculty of Economics,University of Tehran.Tehran,Iran, vol. 20(4), pages 445-460, Autumn.
    16. Oguzhan Ozcelik, 2022. "Does the Foreign Trade-Driven Competitive Power of Transition Economies Converge Toward that of EU14 Countries? Evidence from Fourier Panel Unit Root Test with Sharp and Smooth Breaks," EKOIST Journal of Econometrics and Statistics, Istanbul University, Faculty of Economics, vol. 0(36), pages 257-282, June.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Inequality; Structural change; Developing Asia;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • O15 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Economic Development: Human Resources; Human Development; Income Distribution; Migration
    • O53 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economywide Country Studies - - - Asia including Middle East
    • P46 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - Other Economic Systems - - - Consumer Economics; Health; Education and Training; Welfare, Income, Wealth, and Poverty

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