World Inequality Lab

The World Inequality Lab (WIL) is a global research center dedicated to the study and combat of inequality in all its dimensions. The main mission of the WIL is to produce and disseminate evidence-based research to promote social, economic, and environmental justice. The lab is based at the Paris School of Economics and the University of Berkeley, California, and works closely with over 200 researchers from institutions worldwide, known as WID Fellows[2].

• World Inequality Database: The WIL maintains and expands the most comprehensive publicly available database on global inequality dynamics. This database contains extensive information on the distribution of income and wealth, gender and environmental inequality, as well as political inequalities[2][3].

• World Inequality Report: The WIL regularly publishes reports summarizing the latest research findings on global inequalities. The World Inequality Report 2022, for example, presents current data and analyses on global income and wealth inequality, gender inequality, and environmental inequality[1][5].

• Research Papers and Publications: The lab produces working papers and reports that address thematic and methodological questions in inequality research. These include topics such as measuring historical income and wealth inequalities, environmental inequalities, political inequalities, and tax policy[2].

• Environmental Inequality: The WIL investigates inequality in contributions to pollution as well as the inequality of environmental impacts and the ability to act environmentally friendly. The Climate Inequality Report 2023 is an example of these efforts, focusing on the study of climate inequalities in low and middle-income countries[2][3].

• Gender Inequality: The lab estimates and tracks the share of female labor income (Female Labor Income Share, FLIS) in various countries and globally. These analyses are considered in the context of other inequality indicators[2].

• Tax Policy and Tax Evasion: The WIL collaborates with the EU Tax Observatory to investigate tax policy and tax evasion. A key focus is on developing public data systems that meet the challenges of the 21st century[2][5].

• International Collaborations: The lab has institutionalized partnerships with international organizations such as the United Nations, the World Bank, and the OECD, as well as with national statistical offices and other research institutions. These partnerships aim to develop common standards for measuring inequality[5].

• Conferences and Events: The WIL regularly organizes international conferences and events to present and discuss research findings. For example, in 2022, a two-day conference took place where over 115 researchers presented their work on topics such as wealth, the COVID-19 pandemic, climate, and tax policy[4].

• Data Updates and Research Publications: The lab regularly updates the World Inequality Database and publishes new research papers. In 2023, for example, new data on the distribution of taxes and transfers in 151 countries since 1980 was added, allowing for the first time a comparison of pre- and post-tax inequality levels worldwide since 1980[2][5].

The World Inequality Lab is a key player in global inequality research and tirelessly advocates for social, economic, and environmental justice. Through its comprehensive databases, research reports, and international collaborations, the WIL makes a significant contribution to raising awareness and developing policy measures that reduce inequality and promote a fairer world.

• 1 - https://wir2022.wid.world
• 2 - https://inequalitylab.world/en/our-mission/
• 3 - https://inequalitylab.world/en/
• 4 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6KQkS_Ohx4M
• 5 - https://thedocs.worldbank.org/en/doc/206293abe6ad06f4dc8c2fb541a3b93b-0330272022/original/Chancel2022WB.pdf