How does Digitalization Affect Income Inequality in Turkey?

Abstract

TThis study investigated how digitalization empirically affected income inequality in Turkey between 2001 and 2020. Broadband subscription, internet usage, and mobile subscription were used as digitalization indicators, and the GINI coefficient calculated on disposable income was used as an income inequality indicator. The findings obtained by the ARDL method, KPSS stationarity and ADF unit root tests are as follows: i) While some variables are stationary at level, some are stationary at first degree. ii) Explanatory variables can explain the dependent variable stably in the long run. iii) The increase in all three digitalization indicators and trade openness improves income inequality in the long run. iv) The real income per capita enhancement increases income inequality in the long run. Therefore, policymakers should design and implement policies that will increase digitalization and trade openness and eliminate the distorting effect of economic growth on income inequality.

Keywords

• Income inequality
• Digitalization
• ARDL bound test

Dijitalleşme Türkiye’de Gelir Eşitsiziliğini Nasıl Etkilmektedir?

Abstract

Bu çalışmada Türkiye’de 2001-2020 yılları arasında dijitalleşmenin gelir eşitsizliğini ampirik olarak nasıl etkilediği araştırılmıştır. Dijitalleşme göstergesi olarak genişbant aboneliği, internet kullanımı ve mobil abonelik, gelir eşitsizlik göstergesi olarak ise harcanabilir gelir üzerinden hesaplanan GİNİ katsayısı kullanılmıştır. ARDL yöntemi, KPSS durağanlık ve ADF birim kök testleriyle elde edilen bulgular şöyledir: i) Değişkenlerin bazıları seviyede durağan iken bazıları birinci dereceden durağanlaşmaktadır. ii) Açıklayıcı değişkenler bağımlı değişkeni uzun dönemde istikrarlı bir şekilde açıklayabilmektedir. iii) Her üç dijitalleşme göstergesindeki ve ticari açıklıktaki artış uzun dönemde gelir eşitsizliğini iyileştirmektedir. iv) Kişi başına reel gelirdeki artış uzun dönemde gelir eşitsizliğini arttırmaktadır. Bundan dolayı karar alıcılar dijitalleşme ve ticari açıklığı arttıracak ve iktisadi büyümenin gelir eşitsizliği üzerindeki bozucu etkisini ortadan kaldıracak politikalar tasarlamalı ve yürürlüğe koymalıdırlar.

Keywords

• Gelir eşitsizliği
• Dijitalleşme
• ARDL sınır testi

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