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Desarro. soc. | eISSN 1900-7760 | ISSN 0120-3584

Perception of income inequality and individual life satisfaction in Latin America

No. 101 (2025-11-28)
  • Igor de Oliveira Reguete
    Universidade Federal de Viçosa
    ORCID iD: https://orcid.org/0009-0008-2507-5312
  • Laís de Sousa Abreu Soares
    Universidade Federal de Viçosa
    ORCID iD: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1869-6259
  • Evandro Camargos Teixeira
    Universidade Federal de Viçosa
    ORCID iD: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6470-2103
https://doi.org/10.13043/DYS.101.5

Abstract

Income inequality is a structural characteristic of Latin America. This article examines how perceptions of distributive injustice relate to life satisfaction in 17 cou­ntries, using microdata from the 2023 Latinobarómetro and a multilevel ordered probit model. The results show that perceiving income distribution as unfair or very unfair is associated with lower life satisfaction. This relationship can be explained by mechanisms such as social comparison, weakened cohesion and trust, and perceived economic tensions that affect subjective well-being. The study provides robust evidence for understanding how distributive perceptions shape well-being and underscores the need to incorporate these perceptions into the design of public policies aimed at improving quality of life in the region.

Keywords: Perceived income inequality, life satisfaction, Latin America

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