The impact of interest on income inequality: An empirical investigation

In this study, the effect of interest on income inequality is measured through the effect of real interest rate and the interest payments of the government on Gini index and income shares of income decile groups. By using a sample which includes the data of 26 countries between 1998-2014, we concluded that increases in both real interest rates and interest payments increases income inequality by increasing Gini coefficient and transferring a proportional income from the bottom and middle income groups — generally from bottom 60% — to the top decile and thus reducing social welfare, as this study reveals the exploitative nature of interest on the poor.