Fiscal cuts widen income gap, hitting vulnerable hardest during recessions.
Higher income inequality is linked to more severe economic downturns during fiscal consolidation programs. A model was created to simulate how income risk affects savings behavior and labor supply responses. The model shows that higher income risk leads to more cautious saving habits, reducing the number of people struggling with debt. These individuals are less likely to change their work hours in response to fiscal consolidation measures, which explains the connection between income inequality and the impact of such programs.