Apartheid, Growth and Income Distribution in South Africa: Past History and Future Prospects

Author/Editor:

Robert J. Corker ; Tamim Bayoumi

Publication Date:

December 1, 1991

Disclaimer: This Working Paper should not be reported as representing the views of the IMF.The views expressed in this Working Paper are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent those of the IMF or IMF policy. Working Papers describe research in progress by the author(s) and are published to elicit comments and to further debate

Summary:

Estimates of a supply-side model of the nonprimary sectors, in which particular attention has been paid to modeling key characteristics of the evolution of the apartheid system, are presented. These imply that the wage differential between white and nonwhite workers doing similar jobs fell significantly over the last two decades to around 14 percent in 1990. This relatively small gap implies that medium-term prospects for the advancement of the disadvantaged groups in South Africa depend heavily on their ability to take up skilled employment, with the direct gains from the elimination of apartheid being relatively small.

Series:

Working Paper No. 1991/116

Subject:

Employment Income Labor Labor force Labor markets National accounts Wages

English

Publication Date:

December 1, 1991

ISBN/ISSN:

9781451853902/1018-5941

Stock No:

WPIEA1161991

Pages:

29

Please address any questions about this title to publications@imf.org