Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)This study analysed the impact of changing family structure on income distribution. Specifically, it analysed how changes in the proportions of different categories of family in the population contributed to increases in the income of the richest and poorest social strata in Brazil, and the consequent impacts on income inequality. Rural and urban families were compared in order to understand how these dynamics had different impacts on more developed (urban) and less developed (rural) areas. The results emphasize how changes observed in family structure are more pronounced among the richest families, contributing to an increase in (i) the income of the richest families and (ii) income inequality between the richest and poorest families, as well as between urban and rural areas.703293309Coordenacao de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nivel Superior (Higher Education Personnel Improvement Coordination) [01-P-3942-2014]Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)