Family structure, living arrangements and income inequality in Guatemala between 2000 and 2014

Abstract

This paper explores the role of changes in family structure and living arrangements on shaping income distribution in Guatemala using data from the National Survey of Living Conditions (ENCOVI, 2000 and 2014). Specifically, a 12 groups household typology including a gender dimension is proposed, which proved to be useful to illustrate the diversity of Guatemalan households, and how they have changed over these 14 years. We observe modest but relevant trends such as a decline of couples with children under 15, an increase in three-generation families, and an increase in lone-person households and single-parent families. We employ a decomposition analysis. The results suggest that distance “within-groups” matter more on income household distribution. Therefore, trends in family structure and living arrangements associated with the decline of fertility rates and aging do not seem to have contributed to changes in income inequality experienced by Guatemala from 2000 to 2014.

Keywords

• Family structure
• Living arrangements
• Income inequality
• Guatemala