Journal of Comparative Economics

Economic globalization and income shares

Journal Article
Reference
Bergh, Andreas, Christian Bjørnskov and Justin Callais (2026). “Economic globalization and income shares”. Journal of Comparative Economics. doi.org/10.1016/j.jce.2026.02.002

Authors
Andreas Bergh, Christian Bjørnskov, Justin Callais

Using matching methods across 117 countries, this article finds no evidence that large increases in economic globalization reduce five-year income growth for the middle class. Most effects are insignificant. Where significant, de jure liberalization boosts middle-class income growth, while more financial openness slows top-income growth.