# The Gini Coefficient

The Gini Coefficient is often used an indicator of inequality in a country. Additionally, one can also use the Gini Coefficient as an indicator of economic development. The Gini Coefficient is based on the Lorenz Curve and measures the degree of income or wealth inequality in an economy. The coefficient is bound between zero and one. This means that the coefficient can take on values between zero and one. A Gini Coefficient of one states complete inequality. That is, one single person receives all the income or holds all the wealth of the economy, while all others receive or own nothing. A Gini Coefficient of zero implies perfect equality. That is, all individuals obtain the same income. See the discussion of the Lorenz Curve for a clear illustration of the concept.  Continue reading The Gini Coefficient

# How to compute the Lorenz Curve

In contrast to our previous post, that is the post that summarized the Lorenz Curve in general terms, this post details how to construct the Lorenz Curve and provides a hypothetical example in R.

# The Lorenz Curve

The Lorenz Curve displays the actual income or wealth distribution of an economy. The concept was brought up by the American economist Max O. Lorenz in 1905. The curve represents a graphical representation of the income or wealth distribution of an economy or country. That is, it shows the proportion of income earned or wealth possessed by any given percentage of the population. In the case that everyone has approximately the same wealth, we have a very equal society. While in a case where few own the majority of wealth, we have high inequality. The following figure depicts the Lorenz curve for three economies with varying degrees of inequality.