LIFE DURING STRUCTURAL TRANSFORMATION Life During Structural Transformation *

Jonathan Temple, Huikang Ying, Jonathan Temple, Huikang Ying
2014 unpublished
We examine whether structural transformation leads to a Kuznets curve. We present a dynamic general equilibrium model with heterogeneous workers, occupational self-selection and selective migration, and calibrate the model to survey data for Malawi. We show that structural transformation raises living standards unevenly. As development proceeds , the movement of workers from agriculture is associated with rising wage inequality, rather than a Kuznets curve. The increase in sectoral wage
more » ... ty is pronounced for agriculture. At the same time, structural transformation is associated with major reductions in rural poverty, and eventually in urban poverty. JEL Categories: D31, O15, O41
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