Class Year
2015
Document Type
Student Research Paper
Date of Creation
Spring 2015
Department 1
Economics
Abstract
Many recent studies have shown a significant increase to income inequality since the 1980s. One of the proposed methods for fixing this trend is to increase the minimum wage, since this policy would help those at the low end of the income spectrum to see economic growth. To analyze the effectiveness of this policy, we studied data from countries that are part of the Organization for Economic Development and Cooperation. By forming an econometric model to account for many factors that affect income inequality in nations around the world, including the real value of the minimum wage, we can determine the relationship and provide recommendations for future policy. We conclude that increases to the minimum wage can cause a decrease to income inequality until the minimum wage exceeds a maximum effectiveness value, at which point the effect starts to reverse itself. [excerpt]
Copyright Note
This is the author's version of the work. This publication appears in Gettysburg College's institutional repository by permission of the copyright owner for personal use, not for redistribution.
Recommended Citation
Litwin, Benjamin S., "Determining the Effect of the Minimum Wage on Income Inequality" (2015). Student Publications. 300.
https://cupola.gettysburg.edu/student_scholarship/300
Included in
Income Distribution Commons, Inequality and Stratification Commons, International and Area Studies Commons, International Economics Commons, Labor Economics Commons
Comments
This paper was written for an individualized study in Economics, Spring 2015.