Characteristics of Inequalities in Europe : Context and policies, University of Luxembourg. Professor Conchita D’Ambrosio.

1. Characteristics of Inequalities in Europe:
Context and Policies
Conchita D’Ambrosio
Université du Luxembourg

2. The questions
• What Europe’s particularities are when it comes to
equity and equity-focused policies: are they similar or
different from the issues confronted by other regions?
• How does Europe respond to inequality?
• How does Europe talk about equity and inequality?
Are there similarities/differences in the terminology it
employs?
• What can the global “South” learn from Europe?

3. What Europe’s particularities
Europe is different from the “South”.
Most of EU countries developed considerably after WW2, extended
their welfare states, highly progressive personal income taxation.
It is highly affected by the recent economic crisis (high levels of
unemployment, especially youth unemployment).
Union of relatively similar countries but also quite dissimilar.
One central bank, one monetary policy but many local governments,
many social policies.
Different approach for social policy targets (no Maastricht).

4. Data: Gini in 2010

5. Association between inequality and GDP

6. History and past levels of inequality
Income inequality in most EU countries is significantly
higher than thirty years ago (Atkinson, 2013).
The EU as a whole has failed to make a significant
reduction in the proportion of its citizens living at risk of
poverty.
Top income shares are growing in many countries.
However, it has not always been so.

9. The economic policies of the years of
declining inequality
• Tax and transfer policy. Highly progressive personal
income taxes. Progressive taxes on wealth, or on the
transfer of wealth via inheritance.
• Expansion of the welfare state (let those at the bottom
share).
• Labour market interventions (minimum wage).
• High regulation of capital markets

10. The following years
Many countries rolled back their welfare state and reduced
redistribution.
This general trend has been documented by the OECD in
their reports Growing Unequal (OECD, 2008) and
Divided We Stand (OECD, 2011).
As summarised by the Secretary-General of OECD, ―from
the mid-1990s … the reduced redistributive
capacity of tax-benefit systems was sometimes the
main source of widening household-income gaps
(OECD, 2011).

11. The following years
It was a different environment:
Rising income inequality was also due to skilled-biased
technical change: high demand for skilled workers,
relative earnings of the latter increased.
Globalization also played a role: relative price of goods
produced mainly by unskilled workers decreased, their
wages decreased.

12. The following years
Atkinson (2013) highlights the continued decline in the
share of income that accrues to labour.
“The part of added value allocated to labour reached a historically low
level in 2006. This trend is in particular the result of technological
progress and globalisation. It may have a negative impact on
social equity, economic efficiency and macro-economic stability”
(Summary of chapter in Employment in Europe 2007, European
Commission 2007).
Rising profit share, which also goes “not to the ultimate
holders but in management fees and other payment to
financial services” (Atkinson, 2013).

13. Solution
Policies against increase in inequality include:
• Education and training;
• Smart growth;
• More redistribution;
• Rises in top income rates;
• Inheritance taxes;
• Ownership of capital (e.g. child trust fund in UK);
• EU-wide unemployment benefit;
• EU-child benefits, EU basic income for children.

14. How does EU respond to inequality: Europe 2020
Europe 2020 is the EU's growth strategy for the coming
decade.
We want the EU to become a smart, sustainable and
inclusive economy.
These three mutually reinforcing priorities should help the
EU and the Member States deliver high levels of
employment, productivity and social cohesion.

15. How does EU respond to inequality; Europe 2020
The Union has set five ambitious objectives - on
employment, innovation, education, social inclusion
and climate/energy - to be reached by 2020.
Each Member State has adopted its own national targets in
each of these areas.
Concrete actions at EU and national levels underpin the
strategy.

16. The 5 targets for the EU in 2020
1. Employment
75% of the 20-64 year-olds to be employed
2. R&D / innovation
3% of the EU's GDP (public and private combined) to be invested in
R&D/innovation
3. Climate change / energy
greenhouse gas emissions 20% (or even 30%, if the conditions are right)
lower than 1990
20% of energy from renewables
20% increase in energy efficiency
4. Education
Reducing school drop-out rates below 10%
at least 40% of 30-34–year-olds completing third level education
5. Poverty / social exclusion
at least 20 million fewer people in or at risk of poverty and social
exclusion

17. EU terms
Social exclusion and material deprivation

18. What can the global “South” learn from EU?
Smart growth
Smart growth means improving the performance in:
• education (encouraging people to learn, study and update their skills)
• research/innovation (creating new products/services that generate
growth and jobs and help address social challenges). Renewable
energy.
• digital society (using information and communication technologies)
Inclusive growth
Inclusive growth means:
• raising employment rate – more and better jobs, especially for women,
young people and older workers
• helping people of all ages anticipate and manage change through
investment in skills & training
• modernising labour markets and welfare systems
• ensuring the benefits of growth reach all parts of the EU