The Dynamics of Inequality in Jamaica

Abstract

Do economists and policymakers understand the nature of inequality in the Global South? Most research and discussion on inequality focused on wealthy countries, leaving limited knowledge on the impact of inequality in developing countries. The authors take a step forward by exploring the dynamics of inequality in the Global South, focusing on the Jamaican context. The authors use micro data from the Jamaica Survey of Living Conditions (JSLC) covering three periods: 2002, 2012 and 2021. Overall, the authors find that inequality in Jamaica has declined. The authors also find that over time, the level of education plays an increasing role in explaining across-group inequality. Additionally, while there are minor differences in inequality between male-headed and female-headed households, male-headed households enjoy higher levels of consumption.