Inequality and Poverty

The Inequality and Poverty group aims to contribute to a better understanding of distributive problems and the study of the multiple dimensions of welfare and deprivation. Furthermore, it seeks to understand their evolution, dynamics, and foundations, as well as to the analysis, evaluation, and design of public policies associated with these phenomena. The study of several of these issues is based on a multidisciplinary approach and is carried out in collaboration with other research groups. Several researchers of the team are members of the Family Studies Group and the Migration Studies Group of the UdelaR.

This groups works on the following lines of research: (i) distribution of economic resources, (ii) economic mobility and social preferences, (iii) education, and (iv) demographic dynamics. In addition, the group generates and makes compatible sources of information available to the public.

The team oversees the undergraduate course Inequality and Poverty and the master´s degree courses on Poverty and Inequality (Master's in Economics, FCEA), Dynamics of Poverty and Inequality (Master's Degree in Economics, FCEA), and Economic and Social Inequality: Theoretical Aspects and Construction of Indicators (Master's Degree in Demography, School of Social Sciences). The members of the team mentor undergraduate, master's, and doctoral theses, research initiation projects (CSIC), and projects within the Student Research Support Program (CSIC). As part of the research and teaching activities of this group, we have created the web page www.desigualdad.edu.uy to disseminate aspects related to these topics.

Lines of research

Distribution of economic resources

This line of research aims to investigate the distribution of economic resources. Income and wealth inequality, as well as its levels and deficiencies, are studied using several approaches and data sources. Work is organized around three lines of research: Analysis of income and wealth distribution; inequality and poverty in the labor market; income distribution within households

Economic mobility and social preferences

This line of research aims to improve intergenerational mobility measurement using administrative records and longitudinal surveys. It seeks to identify the main channels that affect intergenerational mobility. To this end, it explores five mechanisms: (a) socio-cultural, (b) early childhood, (c) territorial segregation, (d) labor market, (e) social capital and transmission of assets.

Education

This line of research aims to analyze different aspects related to the analysis of educational trajectories, the loss of the link with the educational system, and the policies that could favor a successful insertion into the formal educational system. There are two current research sub-lines: educational trajectories, academic performance, and analysis of factors affecting educational results.

Demographic Dynamics

This line of research aims to understand the country's demographic trends better. To this end, it studies family dynamics and their probable links to individual well-being. In addition, it contributes to understanding the probable links between international mobility and human capital accumulation in Uruguay.. Several of these lines are developed within the Family Studies Group (GEF) framework, funded by the CSIC R+D Groups 2018 Program. The Family Studies Group was created in 1999 to study the dynamics of family change in Uruguay. It brings together researchers from the School of Medicine and the School of Social Sciences. It is currently supported by the Programa Grupos de CSIC 2018.