Marital status

Having a partner seems to be important, at least in securing a middle-sector income level (Figure 1.2). Between 57% (Uruguay) and 72% (Mexico) of middle-sector households are headed by a pair of adults, either married or living in an unmarried partnership. In all countries except Peru and Mexico, the share of married household heads rises with income; middle-sector household heads are more likely to be married than disadvantaged household heads, and affluent household heads are more likely to be married than either of the other two groups (in Costa Rica middle-sector household heads are more likely to be married than either of the other income categories). The differences among income categories, though statistically significant, are small. Not surprisingly, fewer households achieve middle-sector levels of income with a single head, be they separated, widowed, or unmarried and living alone. Changing household structure can by itself influence trends in inequality; an OECD study argues that changes in the composition of households have resulted in increased economic inequality in several OECD countries.¹¹