ABSTRACT
Introduction Asia’s rapid economic growth in recent decades has resulted in a substantial reduction in poverty and a dramatic improvement in welfare and the standard of living for a large proportion of the population. Although poverty reduction remains the main challenge for the region, widening income inequality is emerging as a concern. In recent years, income disparity has risen in several developing Asian economies. At the same time, unequal access to basic social services, such as education and health, is seen as a significant problem that may be exacerbating growing income inequality.
