Demographic trends and living standards the case of Spain during the 1980´s

Abstract

In this paper we study the evolution of the standard of living un Spain during the 1980' s for a population partitioned by the following individual characteristics: the age group, the 'relation to economic activity, and the result of the decision on whether to live in a household headed by someone else, or to live on one ' s own with or without dependents. Our results help to understand the decline ot inequality in Spain, wich has been formerly investigated only in terms of the household head' s characteristics. On the other hand, within the limits of our cross-section data, we provide sorne evidence on the economic rationale behind the individual decisions about early retirement, household formation, and the female participation in the labor market.