JRC B2 Seminar: "Trends in Inequality of Opportunity in health over the life cycle: the role of early-life conditions" - Matija Kovacic

Abstract

This paper explores the evolution of inequality of opportunity in the prevalence of chronic diseases along the life cycle and across different birth cohorts for individuals aged 50 or older and residing in 13 European countries. We adopt an ex-ante parametric approach and rely on the dissimilarity index as our reference inequality metric. In addition to a commonly used set of circumstances, we pay particular attention to the role of adverse early-life conditions, such as the experience of harm and the quality of the relationship with parents. In order to quantify the relative importance of each circumstance, we apply the Shapley inequality decomposition method. Our results suggest that inequality of opportunity in health is not stable over the life cycle - it is generally lower at younger ages and then monotonically increases. Moreover, it varies between different birth cohorts and is generally higher for younger individuals than for older age groups. Finally, the contribution of adverse early life conditions ranges between 25% and 45%, which is comparable to the share of socio-economic circumstances but significantly higher than the relative contribution of other demographic characteristics, especially at younger ages.

Speaker

Matija Kovacic is a researcher in the European Commission's Joint Research Centre (Ispra). He is also affiliated with the Department of Economics at Ca’ Foscari University of Venice as a subject expert in Empirical Economics and Microeconomics. Before that, he was a post-doc researcher at the Ca’ Foscari University of Venice and the "Marco Fanno" Department of Economics, University of Padua. His research interests include the analysis of individual attitudes and choices; inequality; and health economics.

 


Doctoral Seminar: Esther Medina Ferreiro (University of Vigo)

Abstract:

European public broadcasters (PSBs) have undergone digitization procedures in order to adapt to the changes in the current audiovisual ecosystem. Large technology companies, OTT services and private audiovisual services are competing in a scenario in which PSBs are at a disadvantage. This seminar will discuss whether the strategies they are adapting to undertake digital transformations are consistent with their public service values and the role of innovation, both in their business model and in the rest of their value chain.

 


ECOBAS Research Seminar: Sebastián Cea Echenique (University of Los Andes)

Abstract:

In a cap and trade model with an investment in a 2-stage electricity generation capacity with uncertainty, we include limited attention by the social planner. The inclusion of this type of configurations is justified by the fact that setting a precise cap is costly. In our model we define two types of planner rationalities: one oriented to the profits from the sale of rights and the other focused on social welfare. We compute the model for the Chilean case contrasting with the results of Amigo et alii (2021) and carbon neutrality compliance based on the Paris agreement. On the one hand, the results of the Profit oriented model show a significant impact of cap accuracy on the optimal placement of auctioned rights. Simultaneously, this configuration delivers the lowest electricity prices among all models. On the other hand, the Welfare oriented configuration issues the least amount of permits for high carbon budgets.


JRC B2 Seminar: "Public support for tax policies in COVID-19 times: Evidence from Luxembourg" - Javier Oliveira

Abstract

We study attitudes towards the introduction of hypothetical new taxes to finance the cost of the COVID-19 pandemic. We rely on survey data collected in Luxembourg in 2020. The survey asks for the agreement of respondents over: a one-time net wealth tax, an inheritance tax, a temporary solidarity income tax, and a temporary increase in VAT. All questions include different and randomly assigned tax attributes (tax rates and exemption amounts). We find a clear divide with relatively high support for new wealth and inheritance taxes on the one hand and a low support for increases in VAT and income taxes on the other hand. While 58% of respondents agree or strongly agree with a one-time tax levied on net worth, only 24% are in favor of a small increase in VAT. Support for any tax is however negatively associated with the size of the tax as measured by the predicted revenues. Our results indicate that a one-time wealth tax could raise substantial revenues and still garner public support.

Speaker

Javier Olivera is a researcher in the department of living conditions at the Luxembourg Institute of Socio-Economic Research (LISER) and full professor of economics at Pontificia Universidad Catolica del Peru (PUCP). He is also affiliated to the department of economics at KU Leuven. Before his academic career he worked in the public sector, advising policy in Peru. His research interests include public economics, socio-economic inequality, pensions, attitudes towards redistribution and taxation, intergenerational transfers, old age and economic demography.


JRC B2 Seminar: 'Social and distributional impact of the revision of the Energy Tax Directive in the EU' - Eva Alonso Epelde & Xaquin Garcia

Abstract: “The proposed Energy Taxation Directive (ETD) reform is one of the most politically sensitive elements of the Fit for 55 package. it is expected that the new ETD will have a direct impact on the energy products that are consumed by the European households and many stakeholders are concerned that the proposal risk entrenching inequality. We provide new evidence from a microsimulation model developed by the Basque Centre for Climate Change (BC3) with IEEP and five other partners in the Think Sustainable Europe (TSE) network to assess the direct, overnight distributional impacts of the New Energy Tax Directive. We show that if carefully designed – including well-directed revenue-recycling, and alongside complementary policy measures – the proposals can achieve progressive impacts. In short, it could serve as a tool to fight both inequality and the climate crisis.”