Does redistribution hurt growth? An empirical assessment of the redistribution–growth relationship in the European Union

Abstract

This paper examines the impact of inequality and redistribution on economic growth in the EU. While past research finds inequality harms long-term growth, the effects of redistribution remain debated. Using panel data from 25 EU countries (2007–2019), we introduce the Net Benefit Share as a measure for targeted redistribution. Our findings show that market inequality boosts short-term growth, but redistribution targeted to low-income households further enhances it mainly via the consumption channel. In contrast, redistribution to high-income earners and pensioners reduces growth. These results highlight the importance of well-targeted redistributive policies for economic performance.