Income Redistributive Propensities of Self-Employment, ICT and Remittances: Panel Quantile Regression with Nonadditive Fixed Effects Perspective

Abstract

This study provides updated modalities for ensuring equitable income distributions in developing countries. This was achieved through the lens of self-employment, information and communication technologies (ICT), and remittances. To circumvent the dark spots in prior studies, this study harnesses annual panel series for 52 African countries. The study engaged both the system generalized method of moments (sGMM) and the panel quantile regression with nonadditive fixed effects (QRPD) techniques to elicit updated insights. Meanwhile, three metrics of income inequality, the Gini coefficient, the Atkinson index, and the Palma ratio, were explored for robust insights. A key discovery from both panel computations is the self-exacerbating inclinations of income disparities in the continent. Furthermore, it was discovered that both self-employment and ICT are significant income equalization factors. However, their influence is most effective at the upper quantiles of inequality. The influence of remittance inflows is predominantly unfavorable for equitable income distribution. Both financial inclusion and government effectiveness provided varying inequality-reducing effects. Notably, their influence is more formidable at the upper quantiles. Human capital development provides some noticeable income equalization effects, particularly at the lower quantiles. Policy insights for minifying income inequality in the continent are highlighted herein.