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Measuring income inequality

Author

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  • Ija Trapeznikova

    (Royal Holloway University of London, UK)

Abstract

Economists use various metrics for measuring income inequality. Here, the most commonly used measures—the Lorenz curve, the Gini coefficient, decile ratios, the Palma ratio, and the Theil index—are discussed in relation to their benefits and limitations. Equally important is the choice of what to measure: pre-tax and after-tax income, consumption, and wealth are useful indicators; and different sources of income such as wages, capital gains, taxes, and benefits can be examined. Understanding the dimensions of economic inequality is a key first step toward choosing the right policies to address it.

Suggested Citation

  • Ija Trapeznikova, 2019. "Measuring income inequality," IZA World of Labor, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA), pages 462-462, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izawol:journl:2019:n:462
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    6. Anthony B Atkinson & François Bourguignon, 2014. "Handbook of Income Distribution," PSE-Ecole d'économie de Paris (Postprint) halshs-02923231, HAL.
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    10. Palma, J.G., 2011. "Homogeneous middles vs. heterogeneous tails, and the end of the ‘Inverted-U’: the share of the rich is what it's all about," Cambridge Working Papers in Economics 1111, Faculty of Economics, University of Cambridge.
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    Cited by:

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    2. Muhammad Salar Khan & Abu Bakkar Siddique, 2021. "Spatial Analysis of Regional and Income Inequality in the United States," Economies, MDPI, vol. 9(4), pages 1-21, October.
    3. Ismail M. Cole, 2023. "The political economy triangle of government spending, interest‐group influence, and income inequality: Evidence and implications from the US states," Economics and Politics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 35(3), pages 1122-1176, November.
    4. Peihua Deng & Ronnie Schöb, 2022. "Group-Specific Redistribution, Inequality, and Subjective Well-Being in China," CESifo Working Paper Series 9847, CESifo.
    5. Fahmida Khatun & Syed Yusuf Saadat, 2022. "The Optimum Level of Income Inequality in South Asia: An Econometric Analysis," South Asia Economic Journal, Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka, vol. 23(1), pages 7-29, March.
    6. Javier Ballesteros Muñoz & Jorge Onrubia, 2022. "Régimen de tenencia de la vivienda habitual y desigualdad de la renta de los hogares españoles," Studies on the Spanish Economy eee2022-26, FEDEA.
    7. de Bresser, Jochem & Knoef, Marike, 2022. "Eliciting preferences for income redistribution: A new survey item," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 214(C).
    8. Nicola Cortinovis & Dongmiao Zhang & Ron Boschma, 2022. "Regional diversification and intra-regional wage inequality in the Netherlands," Papers in Evolutionary Economic Geography (PEEG) 2216, Utrecht University, Department of Human Geography and Spatial Planning, Group Economic Geography, revised Aug 2022.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    inequality; Gini coefficient; interdecile ratios;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C13 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods and Methodology: General - - - Estimation: General
    • D30 - Microeconomics - - Distribution - - - General
    • D31 - Microeconomics - - Distribution - - - Personal Income and Wealth Distribution
    • D63 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - Equity, Justice, Inequality, and Other Normative Criteria and Measurement
    • J31 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Wage Level and Structure; Wage Differentials

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