| Abstract [eng] |
WELFARE STATE MODELS AND INCOME INEQUALITY IN EUROPE Žilvinas OSTROVSKIS Master thesis Public Economic Policy master study programme Vilnius University, Faculty of Economics and Business Administration Supervisor – Dr. A. Laužadytė - Tutlienė Vilnius, 2024 SUMMARY 76 pages, 32 charts, 25 pictures, 87 references. The aim of the thesis is to investigate the relationship between different models of the welfare state and income inequality in Europe. The final thesis consists of four main parts: analysis of scientific literature, research methodology section, research results, conclusions and recommendations. In the first part (scientific literature analysis) the concept of the welfare state and the indicators of the welfare state were analyzed. The models of the welfare state applied in Europe were also analyzed: Nordic (Scandinavian), Conservative (Continental), Liberal (Anglo-Saxon), Southern European, Central European and Eastern European models, and compared with each other. The innovations of the welfare state models and measurement problems and the role of income inequality in the welfare state model were also analyzed. In the research part, a qualitative study was conducted - expert interviews - about welfare state models and their relationship with income inequality. Statistical analysis was also carried out to reveal the level of the role of the state in different models of the welfare state (by evaluating the expenditure on social needs, education, social contributions), the level of development of the state (according to indices such as HDI, DESI, etc.), and income inequality were assessed by Gini coefficient and S80/S20 ratio. After comparing all the results, it was revealed that income inequality is the lowest when applying the Scandinavian model of the welfare state, and the highest when applying the model of the Eastern European state. Research data are useful for understanding the relationship between income inequality and welfare state models, so the data can be used in the formulation of state economic policy. |
