Why did wage inequality increase? Evidence from urban India 1983–99

Since the start of the economic reform in 1991, there have been serious concerns regarding the increasing income inequality in India. However, no studies have analyzed how and why the inequality has been accelerated. This study aims to fill these knowledge gaps. The main findings are: (1) The wage inequality in urban India started increasing before 1991; (2) The increase in the wage inequality was mainly attributable to increases in the returns to skills; (3) The accelerating skill premium was due to increases in the demand for skilled labor. The demand shift is attributed to skill-biased technological changes within industries.