Economic inequality is associated with preferences for smaller, immediate gains over larger, delayed ones. Such temporal discounting may feed into rising global inequality, yet it is unclear whether it is a function of choice preferences or norms, or rather the absence of sufficient resources for immediate needs. It is also not clear whether these reflect true differences in choice patterns between income groups. We tested temporal discounting and five intertemporal choice anomalies using local currencies and value standards in 61 countries (N = 13,629). Across a diverse sample, we found consistent, robust rates of choice anomalies. Lower-income groups were not significantly different, but economic inequality and broader financial circumstances were clearly correlated with population choice patterns.

Fil: Navajas Ahumada, Joaquin Mariano. Universidad Torcuato Di Tella; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina

Fil: Aquino, Sibele D.. Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro; Brasil. Laboratory of Research in Social Psychology; Brasil

Fil: Amatya, Kanchan. Organización de las Naciones Unidas. Unicef. Fondo de las Naciones Unidas para la Infancia; Argentina

Fil: Achterberg, Jascha. Mrc Cognition And Brain Sciences Unit; Reino Unido. University of Cambridge; Reino Unido

Fil: Ruggeri, Kai. Columbia University; Estados Unidos. University of Cambridge; Reino Unido

Fil: Bibilouri, Katherine. Sciencespo Paris; Francia. Columbia University; Estados Unidos

Fil: Askelund, Adrian Dahl. University of Oslo; Noruega. Nic Waals Institute; Noruega

Fil: Mejía, Genaro Basulto. Centro de Investigación y Docencia Económica; México

Fil: Burghart, Matthias. University Of Konstanz (university Of Konstanz);