Age and Income in Contemporary Society: A Research Note

Abstract

ABSTRACTThis research note describes the distribution of family income in seven industrial nations, using data from the Luxembourg Income Study. Significant differences between the countries are identified. A ‘poverty cycle’ of the type identified by Rowntree still describes the distribution of income over age groups, but it is neither strong nor universal. Elderly families are found to be a key group for understanding the degree of income inequality in contemporary societies.