Publication type
Research Paper
Series Number
8501
Series
IZA Discussion Papers
Author
Publication date
September 15, 2014
Abstract:
This article assesses two secondary data compilations about income inequality – the World Income Inequality Database (WIIDv2c), and the Standardized World Income Inequality Database (SWIIDv4.0) which is based on WIID but with all observations multiply-imputed. WIID and SWIID are convenient and accessible sources for researchers seeking cross- national data with global coverage for relatively long time periods. Against these benefits must be set costs arising from lack of data comparability and quality and also, in the case of SWIID, questions about its imputation model. WIID and SWIID users need to recognize this benefit-cost trade-off and ensure their substantive conclusions are robust to potential data problems. I provide detailed description of the nature and contents of both sources plus illustrative regression analysis. From a data issues perspective, I recommend WIID over SWIID, though my support for use of WIID is conditional.
Subjects
Link
http://www.iza.org/en/webcontent/publications/papers/viewAbstract?dp_id=8501
Notes
forthcoming in: Journal of Economic Inequality, special issue on “Appraising Cross-National Income Inequality Databases” (Francisco Ferreira G. H. and Nora Lustig, editors)
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World Income Inequality Databases: an assessment of WIID and SWIID
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