The impact of climate change, inflation, and foreign direct investment on income inequality in ASEAN-4

Authors

DOI:

10.62941/irefi.v2i1.150

Issue:

Vol. 2 No. 1 (2025): In Progress

Keywords:

Income inequality, climate change, CO2 emissions, inflation, foreign direct investment
Received: Jun 18, 2025
Accepted: Jun 28, 2025
Published: Jul 31, 2025

Research Article

Downloads

How to Cite

Zahara, R., Madjid, M. S. A., & Abrar, M. (2025). The impact of climate change, inflation, and foreign direct investment on income inequality in ASEAN-4. International Review of Economics and Financial Issues, 2(1), 25–38. https://doi.org/10.62941/irefi.v2i1.150

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Metrics

Metrics Loading ...

Abstract

This study examines the effects of climate change, inflation, and foreign direct investment (FDI) on income inequality in ASEAN-4 countries (Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, and the Philippines), with economic growth and corruption control as moderating variables. Utilizing annual data from 2002 to 2023 sourced from the World Bank, this research employs panel regression analysis to assess the relationships among variables. The findings provide empirical evidence that climate change and FDI have a positive impact on income inequality, whereas inflation has a negative effect. These results highlight the urgency of addressing inequality in the region. Mitigating climate change is essential to reduce the risks associated with rising CO₂ emissions. Governments must also ensure stable inflation to help narrow income gaps. Furthermore, policies promoting the equitable distribution of FDI across regions are necessary to enhance labor absorption, particularly among low-skilled workers.

References

Acemoglu, D., Robinson, J. (2015). Why Nations Fail: The Origins of Power, Prosperity, and Poverty. Litera Publishers.

Aprianto, R., Asmara, A., & Sahara. (2020). Determinan Aliran Masuk Foreign Direct Investment ke Negara-negara Berpendapatan Rendah: Analisis Data Panel. Jurnal ekonomi dan kebijakan pembangunan, 7(2), 174-188. https://doi.org/10.29244/jekp.7.2.174-188

Aswadi, K., Ramazanna, N., Chanpanith, K., Simahatie, M., Murni, & Chadafi, M. F. (2024). Renewable energy consumption, CO2 emissions, and economic growth: Evidence from Indonesia. International Review of Economics and Financial Issues, 1(1), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.62941/irefi.v1i1.30

Badan Pusat Statistik (BPS). (2024). Indeks Harga Konsumen 90 Kota di Indonesia (2018=100) 2021 (Issue 112). Badan Pusat Statistik.

Balasubramanian, A. (2017). Indicators of Global Climate Change. Centre for Advanced Studies in Earth Science, University of Mysore, Technical Report, 1-9. https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.11485.41444

Cevik, S., & Jalles, J. T. (2023). For Whom The Bell Tolls: Climate Change and Income Inequality. Energy Policy, 174 (1), 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2023.113475

Chen, C., & Wu, Y. (2019). Interregional Impact of Foreign Direct Investmen on China's Inland Urbanization. The Singapore Economic Review, 64(04), 997-1017. https://doi.org/10.1142/S0217590817450035

Febriani, R. E. (2022). Korupsi, pertumbuhan ekonomi, dan ketimpangan pendapatan di negara Upper Middle Income ASEAN. Jurnal Ekonomi dan Kebijakan Publik, 5(1), 112-124. https://doi.org/10.32663/pareto.v5i1.2969

Figini, P. & Görg, H. 2011. Does Foreign Direct Investment Affect Wage Inequality? An Empirical Investigation. The World Ecnomy. 34(9), 1455–75. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9701.2011.01397.x

Gam. T. T. H., Oanh, D. L. K., & Dang, N. M. B. (2023). The Impact of Foreign Direct Investment on Income Inequality in Developing Countries: The Bayesian Approach. Jurnal Ekonomi & Studi Pembangunan, 24(1), 127-143. http://doi.org/10.18196/jesp.v24i1.18164

Glawe, L., & Wagner, H. (2024). Inflation and Inequality: New Evidence From A Dynamic Panel Threshold Analysis. International Economics and Economic Policy, 21(2), 297-309. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10368-023-00580-x

Hartono, J. (2016). Teori Portofolio dan Analisis Investasi. Edisi Kesepuluh. BPFE.

Kalaichelvi & Nvaratnam. (2018). The Impact of Foreign Direct Investment on Income Inequality: A Panel Autogressive Distributed Lag Approach For The Asia-Pasific Economic Cooperation Developing Economies. Asia-pacific sustainable development Journal, 25(1), 57-84. https://doi.org/10.18356/d30b620b-en

Kuncoro, M. (2013). Mudah Memahami dan Menganalisis Indikator Ekonomi, Edisi 1. UPP STIM YKPN.

Le, Q. A. D., Pham. H. C., & Nguyen, T. D. (2021). The Impact of Foreign Direct Investment on Income Inequality in Vietnam. Economies, 9(1), 1-15. https://doi.org/10.3390/economies9010027

Malpede, M., & Percoco, M. (2021). Climate Change and Income Inequalities, No. 19. Bocconi University. https://hdl.handle.net/10419/269889

Majean, A., Sowah, P. C., Guivarch, C., Piontek, F., Soergel, B., & Taconet N. (2024). Climate Change Impacys Increase Economic Inequality: Evidence From A Systematic Literature Review. Environmental Research Letters. 19(4),1-22. https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/Ad376e

Norris, E. D., Kochhar, k., Ricka, f., Suphaphiphat, N., & Tsounta, E. (2015). Causes and Consequences of Income Inequality: A Global Perspective. Washington: International Monetary Fund

Oanh, T. T. K., & Ha, N. T. H. (2023). Impact of Income Inequality on Climate Change In Asia: The Role of Human Capital. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 10 (461), 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-023-01963-w

OECD (2022). Measuring foreign direct investment. https://www.oecd.org/en/topics/foreign-direct-investment-fdi.html

Otrachshenko, V., & Popova, O. (2021). Does Weather Sharpen Income Inequality In Russia. Review Of Income And Wealth, 68 (1), 193-223. https://doi.org/10.1111/roiw.12532

Singer, M. (2018). Climate Change and Social Inequality: The Health and Social Costs of Global Warming (1st ed.). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315103358

Suanes, M. (2016). Foreign Direct Investment And Income Inequality In Latin America: A Sector Analysis. Cepal Review 118, 45-61. http://dx.doi.org/10.18356/13c68e36-en

Subair. (2015). Resiliensi Sosial Komunitas Lokal dalam Konteks Perubahan Iklim Global. Aynat Publishing.

Todaro, M. P. (2013). Pembangunan Ekonomi Edisi Ke Sembilan. Penerbit Erlangga.

Todaro M. P. & Smith S. C. (2011). Pembangunan Ekonomi Edisi Kesebelas. Penerbit Erlangga.

Violin, Z. I., & Lutfi, M. Y. (2022). Analisis Ketimpangan Pendapatan di Pulau Jawa dan Faktor yang mempengaruhinya Tahun 2010-2019. Jurnal Ekonomi Trisakti, 2(1), 227-252. https://doi.org/10.25105/jet.v2i1.14740

Walsh, J. P., & Yu, J. (2012). Inflation and Income Inequality: Is Food Inflation Different?. IMF Working Papers, 2012(147). Retrieved Aug 8, 2025, from https://doi.org/10.5089/9781475504163.001

World Inequality Database (2025). World Inequality Database. https://wid.world/data/

Yuldashev, M., Khalikov, U., Nasriddinov, F., Ismailova, N., Kuldasheva, Z., & Ahmad, M. (2023). Impact of Foreign Direct Investment on Income Inequality: Evidence From Selected Asian Economies. PLoS ONE, 18(2), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0281870

Zheng, Z., & Huang, C Y., & Wan, X. (2020). Human Capital and Income Inequality in a Monetary Schumpeterian Growth Model. MPRA Paper 101912, University Library of Munich, Germany.

Author Biographies

Riska Zahara, Department of Economics, Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Banda Aceh, Indonesia

M. Shabri Abd. Madjid, Department of Economics, Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Banda Aceh, Indonesia

Muhammad Abrar, Department of Economics, Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Banda Aceh, Indonesia

License

Copyright (c) 2025 Riska Zahara, M. Shabri Abd. Madjid, Muhammad Abrar

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.