期刊名称:Discussion Papers / Ibero America Institute for Economic Research (IAI)
出版年度:2005
卷号:2005
出版社:Ibero America Institute for Economic Research
摘要:This chapter is motivated by the fact that the Brazilian
economy has one of the highest income inequality index in the world. According
to Paes de Barros et al(2000), average income of the 10% richest people in
Brazil is 28 times higher than the average income of the 40% poorest people. In
Argentina, it is 10 times, 13 times in Costa Rica and 5 times in France.
Brazilian growth did not benefit all classes and inequality is increasing since
the 60´s. While the 10% richest people get 48% of total income, the 10% poorest
people get 0,8% of total income. The inequality problem also arises in the
Brazilian regional income analysis. Minas Gerais is a rich and dynamic state
with 300.000 km2 divided into 10 different regions, 66 microregions and 853
towns. It is located in the Southeast developed part of the country and is
responsible for 10% of Brazilian GDP. As the rest of Brazil, it has a dual
economy with prosperity and poverty and social and economic heterogeneity. This
chapter empirically analyses the economic growth and income inequality behavior
in Minas Gerais towns and microregions from 1970 to 2000, using the income
convergence hypothesis. Convergence tests such as Barro and Sala-i-Martin(1992),
σ- convergence, Drennan & Lobo(1999) and Quah(1993) are performed. The role
of human capital in growth is analysed for Minas Gerais 66 microregions. A
comparison is also made between very rich regions and very poor regions of this
state to see the relationship between regional inequality and poverty.