This chapter brings together the findings from the ten individual country case-study chapters to highlight the lessons to be learned about inequality and living standards. It highlights the extent to which countries facing what might be thought of as common drivers in terms of globalization and technological change none the less had very different outcomes in terms of increases in inequality and real income growth. This variation did not align neatly with pre-existing welfare-state regimes or economic models, but some common elements can be identified in countries or periods where increases in inequality were limited, and ones where significant real income increases were achieved. The chapter brings out the implications in terms of macroeconomic policy, employment, wage-setting, and labour-market institutions and policies, and redistributive mechanisms as well as broader social provision and supports.
Income growth, inequality and poverty reduction: A case study of eight provinces in China
