Did the Corona Crisis widen the gap between rich and poor? An Analysis of Economic Inequality in Germany during the Corona Crisis

This Master's thesis aims to address the in the media, politics and academia recurring issue of economic inequality against the background of the Corona crisis in Germany. Through a deductive literature analysis, the research question to what extend the economic inequality in Germany changed during the Corona crisis is answered. Due to the Corona pandemic that broke out in March 2020, almost all countries in the world were forced to contain the spread of infections as quickly as possible to not overburden healthcare systems. Severe restrictions were imposed almost worldwide, in some cases lasting already several months. In Germany two phases of severe residual restrictions, one beginning in March 2020 and another beginning in October 2020, also have persistently brought public life to a virtual standstill, thus having a considerable impact on the corresponding economic strength.

In addition to growth losses, high national debts, and other socioeconomic consequences the redistribution of economic assets and change in economic inequality has been controversially discussed in academia as well as in the media and thus crystallised as a current problem statement for science and politics. Regarding the state of research, it can be noted that representative surveys and studies of income distribution have published valid results and analyses in relation to the Corona crisis. The longer-term effects of wealth distribution are less well researched at this point of time. This paper incorporates published data and studies up to May 2021.