Sun Apr 27 22:12:43 EDT 2008
ABSTRACTS IN ECONOMIC HISTORY
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Name: Facundo Alvaredo
Email: alvaredo at pse.ens.fr
Institution: Paris School of Economics
Co-author: none
Title: Top Incomes and Earnings in Portugal 1936-2004
Internet Address of abstracted work: http://www.pse.ens.fr/document/index.html
By mail: not available
Language: English
Abstract:
This paper analyzes income and earnings concentration in Portugal
from a long-run perspective using personal income and wage tax
statistics. Our results suggest that income concentration was much
higher during the 1930s and early 1940s than it is today. Top income
shares estimated from reported incomes deteriorated during the Second
World War, even if Portugal did not take active participation in the
conflict. However, the magnitude of the drop was less important than
in other European countries. The level of concentration between 1950
and 1970 remained relatively high compared to countries such as
Spain, France, UK or the United States. The decrease in income
concentration, started very moderately at the end of the 1960s and
which accelerated after the revolution of 1974, began to be reversed
during the first half of the 1980s. During the last fifteen years top
income shares have increased steadily. The rise in wage concentration
contributed to this process in a significant way. The evidence since
1989 suggests that the level of marginal tax rate at the top has not
been the primary determinant of the level of top reported incomes.
Marginal rates have stayed constant in a context of growing top
shares.
Bibliography: Alvaredo, Facundo. "Top Incomes and Earnings in
Portugal 1936-2004." Paris School of Economics Working Paper, 2008.
Subject: Q
Geographical Area: 4
Country/Region: Portugal
Time Period: 9
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