Income Distribution & Sustainable Economic Development in East Asia A Comparative Analysis

• Other Authors: Ragayah Mat Zin (edited), Krongkaew, Medhi (edited)
• Format: Book
• Language: English
• Published: Bangi, Selangor Penerbit Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia 2008
• Series: Siri kajian Malaysia dan antarabangsa
• Subjects: Income distribution > Southeast Asia; Income distribution > East Asia; Sustainable development > Government policy > Southeast Asia
• Online Access: Click Here to View Status and Holdings.

 The East Asian region has experienced high economic growth for several decades. While this rapid growth has managed to bring down poverty incidence in all eight countries studied (China, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam), the impact on income distribution is not so clear-cut. The chapters in this volume show that income distribution in these countries seems to have been widening in the years before and after the 1997-1998 economic crisis. The country authors then try to link the various policy measures pursued in their respective countries that would impact income inequality directly or indirectly. In particular, they attempt to explain the trend of widening income inequality in these countries and the factors behind the dynamics of income inequality, especially the role of development policies in increasing the income gap. Each of these chapters concludes with several policy recommendations on what the respective governments could do to improve income distribution and achieve sustainable growth