Income Inequality And The Demographic Transition

In this study the relationship between the distribution of income, fertility and mortality is examined in order to evaluate the role that income inequality plays in the demographic transition. It is argued that in developing nations at low levels of income there is a negative association between income inequality and fertility. In these nations, equalising transfers of income will support higher levels of fertility. In higher income developing nations, the opposite will hold and the association between income inequality and fertility is positive. In these nations, equalising transfers of income will support lower levels of fertility. With respect to mortality it is argued that the relationship between income inequality and mortality is positive. Therefore, equalising transfers of income will support lower levels of mortality. A regression analysis of cross-national data pertaining to a large sample of developing nations support these hypotheses