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On Measuring Segregation in a Multigroup Context: Standardized Versus Unstandardized Indices

Author

Listed:
  • Coral del Río
  • Olga Alonso-Villar

Abstract

There has been little discussion in the literature about the consequences of using standardized (versus unstandardized) segregation measures when comparing societies with different demographic compositions. To measure the segregation of a group in a multigroup setting, this paper develops standardized local segregation indices, which show a maximum value of 1 when the group is fully segregated, and links these measures with existing standardized overall segregation measures. Our research not only allows for enhancement of the local segregation approach—offering new measures and evaluating them against basic properties—but also provides a better understanding of existing standardized overall measures. To illustrate its value, this paper offers estimates of the occupational segregation of white women in the largest U.S. metropolitan areas using standardized and unstandardized segregation measures. This permits us to identify metropolitan areas that would have gone unnoticed if only one of these two approaches had been employed.

Suggested Citation

  • Coral del Río & Olga Alonso-Villar, 2019. "On Measuring Segregation in a Multigroup Context: Standardized Versus Unstandardized Indices," Working Papers 1904, Universidade de Vigo, Departamento de Economía Aplicada.
    • Handle: RePEc:vig:wpaper:1904
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    Cited by:

    1. Olga Alonso-Villar & Coral Del Río, 2025. "From the Extent of Segregation to its Consequences in Terms of Wellbeing," Hacienda Pública Española / Review of Public Economics, IEF, vol. 254(3), pages 5-43, September.
    2. Amaia Palencia-Esteban, 2019. "Occupational segregation of female and male immigrants in the European Union: accounting for cross-country differences," Working Papers 1905, Universidade de Vigo, Departamento de Economía Aplicada.
    3. Olga Alonso-Villar & Coral del Río, 2025. "School Segregation in Europe by Immigrant Status: Does the Distribution of Resources Exacerbate its Effects?," Working Papers 2501, Universidade de Vigo, Departamento de Economía Aplicada.
    4. Olga Alonso-Villar & Coral del Río, 2024. "From the Extent of Segregation to Its Consequences in Terms of Wellbeing: A Methodological Reflection With an Application to the Spanish Labor Market," Working Papers 2402, Universidade de Vigo, Departamento de Economía Aplicada.

    More about this item

    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • D63 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - Equity, Justice, Inequality, and Other Normative Criteria and Measurement
    • J15 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Minorities, Races, Indigenous Peoples, and Immigrants; Non-labor Discrimination
    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination
    • J71 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Labor Discrimination - - - Hiring and Firing

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