Reichtum in Niedersachsen und anderen Bundesländern - Ergebnisse aus der Einkommensteuer-Geschäftsstatistik 2003 für Selbständige (Freie Berufe und Unternehmer) und abhängige Beschäftigte
This contribution analyzes top incomes in the German Federal States for 2003 with focus on Lower-Saxony. Based on the microdata of the German Wage and Income Tax Current Statistics (Einkommensteuer-Geschaftsstatistik) for the first time richness rates and intensities of richness are examined for the self-employed as professions and entrepreneurs as well as for employees. We found large differences between the German Federal States and occupational groups. Even if the share of rich persons in the group of self-employed are substantially higher than in the group of employees the situation of the self-employed varies much between the German Federal States.
Messung von Ausmaß, Intensität und Konzentration des Einkommens-und Vermögensreichtums in Deutschland (Measuring the Extent, Intensity and Concentration at the Upper Edge of the Income and Wealth Distribution in Germany)
German abstract: In diesem Beitrag wird der obere Rand der Einkommens-und Vermogensverteilung in Deutschland mit Daten des Sozio‐oekonomischen Panels (SOEP) analysiert. In Anlehnung an das von Sen (1976) fur die Armutsmessung vorgeschlagene Vorgehen werden zunachst unterschiedliche Schwellenwerte definiert, oberhalb derer eine Person zum reichen Teil der Gesellschaft gehort. Anschliesend wird untersucht, wie viele Menschen uber diesen Schwellen liegen (Ausmas), uber wie viel Einkommen oder Vermogen diese im Durchschnitt verfugen (Intensitat) und wie diese finanziellen Mittel zwischen den reichen Personen verteilt sind (Konzentration). Eine simultane Analyse von Ausmas, Intensitat und Konzentration ermoglicht ein breites Verstandnis des oberen Rands der Einkommens- und Vermogensverteilung sowie dessen Dynamik. Zum Beispiel ergeben die Untersuchungen, dass im Vergleich zum Durchschnitt in Deutschland Beamte sowohl beim Einkommen als auch beim Vermogen ein hohes Ausmas, aber eine geringe Intensitat aufweisen. Zudem sind ihre finanziellen Ressourcen weniger konzentriert als im deutschen Durchschnitt.English Abstract: In this paper we analyze the upper edge of income and wealth distribution in Germany with data from the German Socio-Economic Panel (SOEP). According to Sen's (1976) recommendation for the poverty measurement, we first define different thresholds above which a person belongs to the rich part of society. Then we examine how many people are above these thresholds (extent), how much income or wealth they have on average (intensity), and how these financial resources are distributed among the rich persons (concentration). Analyzing extent, intensity and concentration simultaneously gives a broader understanding of the dynamics of the upper edge of income and wealth distribution. For example, we find that in comparison to the average in Germany, civil servants are more often above the defined thresholds but receive on average less income and own less wealth. In addition, their financial resources are less concentrated then the German average.
The contribution of charcoal production to rural livelihoods in a semi-arid area in Kenya
Forest incomes in the form of both timber and non-timber forest products are an important source of livelihood for many communities in Africa. A major forest resource is charcoal, which contributes to the livelihoods of millions across the region. While incomes from charcoal are used to meet a wide spectrum of needs within rural livelihoods, the role of charcoal production on livelihoods of small-scale producers is not well understood. Therefore, we provide an example on the importance of charcoal on livelihoods in an agropastoralist community in a semi-arid region in Kenya. Based on a household questionnaire targeting 150 charcoal and 150 non-charcoal makers, as well as focus group discussions, we assessed the determinants for participation in charcoal production and developed a household typology based on charcoal income dependence. We also determined the role of charcoal in income equalization and poverty reduction. Our study shows that charcoal contributes about 20% of the household income in the study area. Gender, land size and the number of food-scarce months are the key determinants of participation in charcoal production. Based on the poverty analysis, we conclude that even though charcoal income does not lift the producers out of poverty, it can mitigate the impacts of poverty by reducing the poverty gap and poverty severity. Based on our findings, we recommend a multipronged approach to address sustainable rural livelihoods including a more explicit acknowledgement of charcoal production as a source of rural income. We also recommend broadening of the local livelihood base and a more active management of the woodland to ensure the sustainability of the income.