The Effect of Trade Openness and Foreign Direct Investment on Income Inequality: An Analysis for Türkiye

Year 2025, Volume: 12 Issue: 2, 100 - 116, 31.12.2025

Sinem Soyhan , Muhammed Şükrü Mollavelioğlu

https://doi.org/10.34232/pjess.1836802

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the effects of trade openness and foreign direct investment on the income share of the top 10 percent in Türkiye. The analysis is framed within the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 10, which focuses on reducing inequalities within and between countries. Efforts toward achieving this goal by 2030 have highlighted the importance of understanding the determinants of income inequality. In this context, the study investigates the influence of trade openness and foreign direct investment, two factors frequently discussed in the literature as potential drivers of inequality. Using the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) bounds testing approach for the period 1990–2024, the study analyzes the long-run relationship between these variables and income inequality in Türkiye. The findings indicate that, in the long run, economic growth and foreign direct investment reduce income inequality, whereas trade openness is found to increase it.

Keywords

Income inequality , Foreign direct investment , Trade openness

Ethical Statement

This study does not involve any human or animal testing. Therefore, it does not require ethics committee approval. The study complied with scientific and academic ethical guidelines.

Supporting Institution

This study was not funded by any institution or organization.

Thanks

We would like to thank the editor and referees for their evaluation of the study.

Ticari Açıklık ve Doğrudan Yabancı Yatırımların Gelir Eşitsizliğine Etkisi: Türkiye Üzerine İnceleme

Abstract

Bu çalışma, ticari açıklık ve doğrudan yabancı yatırımların Türkiye’de gelirden en yüksek pay alan %10’luk kesim üzerindeki etkilerini analiz etmeyi amaçlamaktadır. Araştırma, Birleşmiş Milletler Sürdürülebilir Kalkınma Hedefleri kapsamında belirlenen 10. hedef doğrultusunda ülkeler arası ve ülke içi eşitsizliklerin azaltılmasına odaklanmaktadır. 2030 yılına kadar gerçekleştirilmesi hedeflenen bu çabalar, eşitsizliğin azaltılması konusunu kritik hale getirmiştir. Bu amaçla literatürde yer alan ve gelir eşitsizliği üzerinde etkili olduğuna dair kanıtlar bulunan ticari açıklık ve doğrudan yabancı yatırımların etkileri bu çalışma kapsamında incelenmektedir. Çalışmada 1990-2024 döneminde Gecikmesi Dağıtılmış Otoregresif Model (ARDL) sınır testi kullanılarak Türkiye’de ticari açıklık ve doğrudan yabancı yatırımların gelir eşitsizliği üzerindeki etkileri analiz edilmiştir. Elde edilen bulgularda uzun dönemde ekonomik büyüme ve doğrudan yabancı yatırımların gelir eşitsizliğini azalttığı, buna karşın ticari açıklığın eşitsizliği artırdığı sonucuna ulaşılmıştır.

Keywords

Gelir Eşitsizliği , Doğrudan Yabancı Yatırımlar , Ticari Açıklık

Ethical Statement

Bu çalışma herhangi bir insan veya hayvan deneyi içermemektedir. Bu nedenle etik kurul izni gerektirmemektedir. Çalışmada bilimsel ve akademik etik kurallara uyulmuştur.

Supporting Institution

Bu çalışma herhangi bir kurum veya kuruluş tarafından fonlanmamıştır.

Thanks

Çalışmanın değerlendirilmesinde editör ve hakemlere teşekkür ederiz.

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