Inequality, poverty, and social protection in Bulgaria

Publication type

Research Paper

Series Number

20/147

Series

IMF Working Papers

Author

Publication date

July 15, 2020

Summary:

Absolute poverty has dropped markedly in Bulgaria but income inequality has increased substantially in the aftermath of the GFC. This increase is due to a rise in market income inequality that was compounded by a reduction in fiscal redistribution. The redistributive role of direct taxation has declined with the introduction of a flat tax and social spending is relatively low and decreasing (as a share of GDP), is concentrated on a few social risks, and experienced a decline in its redistributive efficiency. The COVID-19 crisis is likely to deepen income inequality, increasing the room for redistributive policies.

Subjects

Link

https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/WP/Issues/2020/07/31/Poverty-and-Social-Protection-in-Bulgaria-49552

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