Measuring Top Incomes and lnequality in the Middle East: Data Limitations and Illustration with the Case of Egypt
Abstract
This paper discusses the data limitations associated with the measurement of top incomes and inequality in the Middle East, with special emphasis to the case of Egypt. It has been noted that high inequality might have contributed to the Arab spring revolt movement. Some studies have argued however that measured inequality in Middle East countries is not particularly large by international standards, and that popular discontent mostly reflects the perceived level of inequality, and the perceived (un)fairness of the distribution. In this paper the evidence is reviewed and new estimates are presented.
Citation
Alvaredo, F.; Piketty, T. Measuring Top Incomes and lnequality in the Middle East: Data Limitations and Illustration with the Case of Egypt. (2014)