Global Inequality Recalculated: The Effect of New 2005 PPP Estimates on Global Inequality

16 Pages Posted: 2 Aug 2009

See all articles by Branko Milanovic

Branko Milanovic

World Bank - Development Research Group (DECRG); University of Maryland

Multiple version iconThere are 2 versions of this paper

Date Written: July 30, 2009

Abstract

The results of new direct price level comparisons across 146 countries in 2005 have led to large revisions of PPP (purchasing power parity) exchanges rates, particularly for China and India. The recalculation of international and global inequalities, using the new PPPs, shows that inequalities are substantially higher than previously thought. Inequality between global citizens is estimated at 70 Gini points rather than 65 as before. The richest decile receives 57 percent of global income rather than 50 percent.

Keywords: Global inequality, Purchasing power parity

JEL Classification: D31, I3, 057

Suggested Citation

Milanovic, Branko, Global Inequality Recalculated: The Effect of New 2005 PPP Estimates on Global Inequality (July 30, 2009). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1441544 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1441544

Branko Milanovic (Contact Author)

World Bank - Development Research Group (DECRG) ( email )

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HOME PAGE: http://econ.worldbank.org/staff/bmilanovic

University of Maryland ( email )

College Park
College Park, MD 20742
United States

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