Different growth theories implies in different patterns of per capita income distribution between countries. The empirical validation to these theories assumes some non-commonly verified stochastic processes properties. This paper seeks for theseis properties and discusses the existence of per capita income clubs in the world economy by analyzing the distribution of per capita income in 134 countries during the period 1970-2003. The conclusions show stratification in three groups, with path dependence and no lock in, that is, there is a high probability of maintenance of the status quo, while there exists a small probability of migration between groups.
Growth; Finites Mixtures; Club Convergence
