INCOME INEQUALITIES IN ROMANIA IN THE AFTERMATH OF THE 2008 ECONOMIC CRISIS

This paper documents a study examining the dynamics of income inequality in Romania, on a span time of ten years close to the 2008 crisis. Using the Gini index as an inequality measure, the study also aims to identify how different income sources contribute to the overall rate of inequality. Income inequality experienced a decreasing trend during the observed period. Wages and pensions, as pillars of the household budget, had the greatest impact on global inequality, but with rather opposite influences. Understanding the complex effects of changes in income policies serves to inform a better regulatory process. The paper consolidates the scarce Romanian research in this regard, with a more complete and updated approach.