I develop a new method to analyse cross-national differences in poverty dynamics. I use the method to compare eleven European countries. With estimates from bivariate mixture hazard regression models, I predict the distribution of time spent in poverty at the individual and country level.
The analysis shows that despite large differences in the proportion poor in a given year, the average length of time spent in poverty is similar across countries. Britain and Ireland are outliers with long average times spent in poverty. However, the types of individuals who last in poverty for extended periods of time differ by country. They are mainly old people in Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Greece and Ireland, and to a lesser extent in Portugal. In France, Italy, Portugal and Spain they are mainly individuals in households with children, low labour market attachment and low educational attainment. In Germany and the Netherlands, and to a lesser degree in Britain, Denmark and Ireland, young non-employed individuals living alone also account for a relatively large fraction of the population with long spells in poverty.
Presented by:
Giacomo Damioli (ISER)
Date & time:
November 19, 2008 1:00 pm - November 19, 2008 12:00 am
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