Economic Mobility in Europe and Central Asia : Exploring Patterns and Uncovering Puzzles

Cancho, Cesar ; Davalos, Maria E. ; Demarchi, Giorgia ; Meyer, Moritz ; Sanchez Paramo, Carolina

World Bank Group, Washington, DC

关键词: ABSOLUTE TERMS;    ACCESS TO EDUCATION;    ACCESS TO EMPLOYMENT;    AGRICULTURAL EMPLOYMENT;    ANNUAL GROWTH;   

DOI  :  10.1596/1813-9450-7173
RP-ID  :  WPS7173

学科分类：社会科学、人文和艺术（综合）

来源: World Bank Open Knowledge Repository

【 摘 要 】

Substantial upward economic mobility inthe majority of countries in Europe and Central Asia in the2000s translated into achievements in reducing poverty andboosting shared prosperity. Although factors associated withupward mobility vary significantly by country, education andjobs undoubtedly play an important role in liftinghouseholds out of poverty and helping them to improve theirliving standards. This study finds there is a puzzlingmismatch between the objective economic mobility patternsobserved in survey data and people's subjectiveperception of their mobility. A majority of people in theregion perceives they are worse off economically than in thepast and voice frustration over limited opportunities toimprove their lives. This disconnect is partly explained byincreased inequality in the region, an increasing sense ofunfairness in the processes to move up, and a more markedsense of insecurity and vulnerability. Although the regionhas been making headway in lifting households out ofpoverty, ensuring sustainable progress toward povertyreduction and shared prosperity requires policies thatpromote human capital accumulation, foster job creation, andoffer adequate protection to improve households'resilience to shocks.