中国的机会不均等程度与作用机制——基于CGSS数据的实证分析

Measures and Underlying Mechanisms of Inequality of Opportunities in China——Evidence from CGSS Data

本文运用最新的中国综合社会调查(CGSS)数据对中国机会不均等程度进行了定量分析,发现由机会不均等导致的收入差距占总的收入差距27%以上。这一比例与世界上不平等程度最高的拉美地区类似。对于低学历的人群来说,机会不均等程度更高。在定量测量中国机会不均等程度的基础上,本文运用实证分析的方法验证了三个假设:劳动力市场歧视、教育代际固化以及家庭背景的影响。实证结果发现,这三种渠道都是中国机会不均等的重要因素。鉴于此,文章提出了相应的政策建议,包括通过立法消除劳动力市场歧视、促进公共教育资源的均等化、通过反腐败等手段规范高收入部门的用人机制以及通过税收和转移支付的方式消除外在环境差异带来的收入差距等。

This paper utilizes the most recent CGSS data to quantitatively measure the contribution of inequality of opportunities to the overall income inequality in China. It finds that 27% of total income inequality can be attributed to inequality of opportunities, i. e. , the inequality component which is out of control for individuals. This ratio is as high as that found in most Latin American countries with high income inequality. The heterogeneity analyses show that the inequality of opportunities is even larger for low-educated and low-income groups. Furthermore, the paper empirically verifies three possible channels underlying the measured inequality of opportunities, including labor market discrimination, intergenerational education persistence, and family background effect. Policy suggestions are derived based on the empirical analyses, such as reducing labor market discrimination, balancing education resources among different areas, making it more transparent in state sector recruitment, and lowering inequality by more progressive taxes and transfers.