France: How taxation can increase inequality

Chapitre d'ouvrage: The evolution of inequality in France is specific compared with most OECD countries. Inequality only started to rise at the end of the 1990s after a period of decline during the 1970s and the 1980s. This late increase partly explains the limited effects of inequality on social, political, and cultural outcomes. However, social gradients like income or education play a considerable role for fields such as health, housing, political participation, or trust in institutions. France is also particular with regard to the role of taxation. This chapter provides evidence about the absence of progressivity in the tax system. It concludes that the reforms implemented during the past decade have contributed to the increase in income inequality.

Auteur(s)

Nicolas Frémeaux, Thomas Piketty

Éditeur(s)
  • Oxford University Press
Éditeur(s) scientifique(s)
  • Brian Nolan, Wiemer Salverda, Daniele Checchi, Ive Marx, Abigail McKnight, István György Tóth, Herman G. van de Werfhorst
Titre de l’ouvrage
  • Changing Inequalities and Societal Impacts in Rich Countries: Thirty Countries’ Experiences
Date de publication
  • 2014
Mots-clés
  • Decline in inequality
  • Tax progressivity
  • Social gradients
  • Education
  • Health
  • Housing
  • Trust
  • France
  • Social impacts
  • Redistribution
Pages
  • Chapitre 11
Version
  • 1