Define the term 'income inequality'

Income inequality is a statistical measure concerned with the spread of the distribution of income amongst the population of an economy.

It can be quantified through a variety of measures which condense the entire income distribution of a country into a single figure: varying from the range of incomes in a given population, the 90:10 ratio and, most notably, the Gini coefficient.

Focusing on the Gini coefficient, this is a measure which produces a figure between 0 and 1 for a given income distribution - the closer the figure is to 1, the more unequal the population. 

ML
Answered by Matthew L. Economics tutor

4229 Views

See similar Economics A Level tutors

Related Economics A Level answers

All answers ▸

What is consumer surplus? Why is it important?


What is the difference between the RPI and CPI rate of inflation


Evaluate the effect of UK inflation on a niche clothing boutique in UK.


Using Angola as an example, evaluate the view that MNCs play a positive role in the development of LEDCs. (25 marks)


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning