RT Journal Article T1 Prices, markups and wages: inflation and its distributive consequences in Spain, 2021-2023 A1 Febrero Paños, Eladio A1 Álvarez, Ignacio A1 Uxó González, Jorge AB This article analyses the recent inflationary experience in Spain (2021-2023), focusing on the functional income distribution, the evolution of markups and real wages, and the economic policies implemented. We rely on the conflict theory of inflation and touch upon recent debates on of sellers’ inflation. Using the Observatory of Firms’ Margins, we confirm an increase in aggregate markups. Nevertheless, the main factor explaining price increases is firms’ pass-through of higher input costs to protect their profits. The direct effect of markup increases has been quantitatively less important, and that of unit labour costs negligible. Therefore, inflation has had huge distributional consequences and there is space for non-inflationary wage increases. While fiscal and regulatory measures have effectively curbed the inflation rate having an expansive effect, restrictive monetary policy is inappropriate and costly. PB Elsevier SN 0954-349X YR 2024 FD 2024 LK https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/112471 UL https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/112471 LA eng NO Uxó, J., Febrero, E., Álvarez, I. (2024): "Prices, markups and wages: inflation and its distributive consequences in Spain, 2021-2023”, Structural Change and Economic Dynamics, Special Issue: Inflation, distribution and economic policies. Disposable online, 3 oct 2024. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.strueco.2024.09.021. DS Docta Complutense RD 12 abr 2025