The income inequality in the US.

Explanation of Solution
Table -1 shows the distribution of US income by households in 2008:
Table -1
Personal Income Category | Percentage of all households in this category |
Under $10,000 | 7.1 |
$10,000-$14,999 | 5.8 |
$15,000-$24,999 | 11.8 |
$25,000-$34,999 | 10.9 |
$35,000-$49,999 | 14.0 |
$50,000-$99,999 | 17.9 |
$100,000 and above | 11.9 |
20.5 | |
100.0 |
As per table -1, the highest 20% have received an income share of 50% in 2008. This is ten times more than the 3.4% than the lowest 20% received. The three quintiles in the middle get less that 50% of the total income before tax. When we combine the bottom three quintiles on top of two quintiles that receive almost twice of them. So, the fact is that the top to 20% are receiving as much as 80% at the bottom.
The government's effect on the income distribution happens through taxes and transfer payments. It has a slightly progressive effect of federal, state, and local taxes on distribution of income as people with a high income have a pay of a higher percentage of their income in taxes when compared to people with a lower income. The main contribution of the government for income equality happens through transfer programs i.e. 80% of the times. The benefit of this contribution goes mainly to people in the lowest quintile where 75% of the income that these people earn is through government transfer payments.
Though these statistics may suggest that the government is contributing heavily to equalize the income, it might be all correct. As the transfer programs provided to people with a lower income decrease the incentive to work so the income earned will be further down. Also, not all these transfer programs got to the poor. For example, in case of subsidies, farming always goes to the farmers that are wealthy. Middle and higher class students get the benefit of education funding by the government than the ones with a lower income.
Concept Introduction:
Income inequality: It is the unequal distribution of a household or an individual income across the various participants in an economy.
Want to see more full solutions like this?
Chapter 23 Solutions
LSC CUMBERLAND EC202 MICRO>PKG<
- Use the figure below to answer the following question. Let I represent Income when health, let Is represent income when ill. Let E[I] represent expected income. Point D represents Utility 100000 B у いいつ income есва Ін Is the expected utility from income with no insurance an actuarially fair and partial contract an actuarially fair and full contract an actuarially unfair and full contract an actuarially unfair and partial contractarrow_forwardOutline the principles of opportunity cost and comparative advantage. Describe how these principles can be applied to address the scarcity of resources in a real-world scenario involving a company or industry.arrow_forwardNot use ai pleasearrow_forward
- 3. Consider the case of everyone being wealthier in the future, such as from a positive productivity shock (computers, internet, robotics, AI). A. Begin from the baseline preferences and endowments. Give both people an endowment of 1000 pounds for the first period and 1100 pounds for the second. AI increases the supply of second period goods by 10%. Note that there is now a total of 2000 pounds in the first period and 2200 pounds in the second. Determine the equilibrium interest rate. r = % B. Begin from the baseline preferences and endowments. Give both people an endowment of 1100 pounds for the first and 1100 pounds for the second periods. AI increases the supply in all periods by 10%. Note that there are now 2200 pounds in the first period and 2200 pounds in the second. Determine the equilibrium interest rate. r = % C. Explain how productivity and the real rate are connected. Write at least five sentences.arrow_forwardNot use ai pleasearrow_forwardNot use ai pleasearrow_forward
- Not use ai pleasearrow_forwardJim's Bank Account for the Year to 30 April 2008: We will start by calculating the balance of the business bank account, using the transactions provided. Opening Balance: Jim initially deposited €150,000 into his business bank account on 1 May 2007. Transactions: Receipts: Cash Sales (May 2007 to April 2008): €96,000 Credit Sales (Business customers): €19,600 (Note: This amount is not yet received as it is on credit, but it will be included in the Income Statement and not the bank balance at this stage.) Bank receipts from credit customers (amount owed at 30 April 2008): €6,800 Total Receipts:€96,000 (Cash Sales) + €6,800 (credit customer payments) = €102,800 Payments/Expenditures: Lease Payment (Paid in advance for five years): €50,000 Shop Fitting: €10,000 Assistant’s Wages: €250 per month × 12 months = €3,000 Telephone expenses: €800 Heat & Light expenses: €1,000 Jim’s withdrawals for personal expenditure: €1,000 × 12 months = €12,000 Accounting Fee (after the year-end):…arrow_forwardSolve the problemarrow_forward
- Principles of Economics 2eEconomicsISBN:9781947172364Author:Steven A. Greenlaw; David ShapiroPublisher:OpenStaxPrinciples of Economics (MindTap Course List)EconomicsISBN:9781305585126Author:N. Gregory MankiwPublisher:Cengage Learning
- Principles of Microeconomics (MindTap Course List)EconomicsISBN:9781305971493Author:N. Gregory MankiwPublisher:Cengage LearningPrinciples of Economics, 7th Edition (MindTap Cou...EconomicsISBN:9781285165875Author:N. Gregory MankiwPublisher:Cengage LearningPrinciples of MicroeconomicsEconomicsISBN:9781305156050Author:N. Gregory MankiwPublisher:Cengage Learning




