Gini index



Countries By Gini index



Key points



Official Definition of Gini index

Gini index measures the extent to which the distribution of income (or, in some cases, consumption expenditure) among individuals or households within an economy deviates from a perfectly equal distribution. A Lorenz curve plots the cumulative percentages of total income received against the cumulative number of recipients, starting with the poorest individual or household. The Gini index measures the area between the Lorenz curve and a hypothetical line of absolute equality, expressed as a percentage of the maximum area under the line. Thus a Gini index of 0 represents perfect equality, while an index of 100 implies perfect inequality.



Importance

The Gini index is a crucial macroeconomic statistic for a country as it provides insights into the income or consumption inequality within the population. A low Gini index signifies a more equal distribution of income among individuals or households, indicating a fairer society with potentially lower social tensions and a stronger sense of social cohesion.

On the other hand, a high Gini index represents significant income inequality, suggesting a concentration of wealth in the hands of a few, which can lead to social unrest, higher crime rates, and political instability. Countries with a high Gini index may experience challenges in promoting sustainable economic growth and development, as resources are disproportionately allocated.

Therefore, monitoring the Gini index is essential for policymakers to gauge the level of income inequality and implement targeted economic policies to address disparities, foster inclusive growth, and ensure social stability within the country.



Top 10 Countries by Gini index

Bottom 10 Countries by Gini index



Regions

Europe

The Gini index values for the listed countries vary, indicating different levels of income inequality within each economy. Countries with lower Gini index values such as Belarus, Slovakia, and Slovenia exhibit relatively more equal income distribution, while countries like Bulgaria, Latvia, and Lithuania have higher values, signaling higher income inequality. Lower inequality can promote social cohesion and stability but might also indicate lower economic incentives. Higher inequality can lead to social tensions but might also suggest greater economic opportunities. Managing income inequality is crucial for sustainable development, as excessive inequality can hinder long-term growth prospects and foster discontent within society.

Far East: East Asia, SE Asia, Australia

The Gini index data for China, Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam stands at 37.1, 37.6, 35, and 36.8 respectively. Among these countries, Thailand has the lowest Gini index, indicating a relatively more equal distribution of income compared to the others. Indonesia and Vietnam follow closely behind, showing similar levels of income inequality. China has the highest Gini index among these nations, signifying greater income inequality. While a higher Gini index may suggest potential social tensions, promoting policies to reduce income inequality can lead to a more stable society and foster economic growth. However, it can be challenging to implement such policies without affecting economic incentives and overall productivity in each country.

ASEAN

Among the countries reviewed, Indonesia has a Gini index of 37.6, Thailand 35, and Vietnam 36.8. Indonesia exhibits slightly higher income inequality compared to Thailand and Vietnam. This indicates that income distribution in Indonesia leans more toward inequality. While a lower Gini index suggests a fairer distribution of income, it can also imply challenges in incentivizing productivity and wealth accumulation. For Indonesia, the higher index may lead to social tensions and hinder overall economic development, requiring targeted policies to address inequality. Thailand's lower index signifies relatively better income equality, which can enhance social cohesion and economic stability. Vietnam falls in between, showcasing a moderate level of income inequality, which can be advantageous in balancing incentives for growth while ensuring social welfare.

Latin America

The Gini index data reveals varying levels of income inequality among the listed countries. Argentina, Dominican Republic, and Uruguay show relatively lower income inequality with scores around 40, implying a more equal distribution of income. On the other hand, Colombia, Costa Rica, and Brazil have higher Gini indices above 48, indicating a higher degree of income inequality within their populations. While lower inequality can foster social cohesion and stability, it may also lead to complacency and hinder economic growth. Conversely, higher inequality can spur entrepreneurship but may exacerbate social tensions and hinder overall development by limiting access to opportunities for a significant portion of the population.

Middle East

Interpreting the Gini index data reveals varying levels of income inequality among the listed countries. Armenia stands out with a relatively low Gini index of 25.1, indicating a more equal income distribution compared to Cyprus (31.7), Georgia (34.5), Iran (35.8), Israel (37.8), and Turkey (43). Lower Gini indices, like Armenia's, generally signify less income inequality which can promote social cohesion and potentially lead to greater economic stability. However, this could also suggest a lack of incentive for wealth creation. On the other hand, countries with higher Gini indices such as Turkey may face social unrest due to disparities in income distribution, but a more pronounced wealth gap can stimulate entrepreneurship and innovation.



Rivals

Anglosphere v BRICS

The Gini index for income distribution shows varying levels among the selected countries. Brazil has a relatively high Gini index of 48.9, indicating significant income inequality. China's index is 37.1, reflecting a moderate level of inequality, while India's index of 33.8 is slightly lower. The Russian Federation and the United States have Gini indices of 36 and 39.7 respectively, suggesting similar inequality levels. In contrast, the United Kingdom presents a lower Gini index of 32.6, implying a more equal income distribution. High inequality, as seen in Brazil and the United States, may lead to social unrest and economic instability. Moderate levels, like in China and Russia, can hinder long-term growth potential. Lower inequality, like in the UK, generally promotes social cohesion and sustainable development.

Russia v Ukraine

The Gini index for the Russian Federation stands at 36, indicating a moderate level of income inequality, while Ukraine has a slightly lower Gini index of 25.6, suggesting a comparatively more equal distribution of income. The Russian Federation's higher Gini index implies greater income inequality, which may lead to social tensions and hinder overall economic development. On the other hand, Ukraine's lower index signifies a fairer distribution of income, potentially fostering social cohesion and stability. However, excessively low income inequality may also reduce incentives for wealth creation. Both countries must address their respective levels of income inequality to ensure sustainable development and societal well-being.

France v United Kingdom

France has a Gini index of 30.7, indicating a relatively moderate level of income inequality. In comparison, the United Kingdom has a slightly higher Gini index of 32.6, suggesting slightly more unequal income distribution than France. France's lower index may signify a more equitable distribution of income, potentially fostering social cohesion and stability. However, it could also hint at lower incentives for wealth creation. On the other hand, the UK's slightly higher index could imply greater incentives for entrepreneurial activities but might lead to social tensions. Overall, these Gini index differences between the countries highlight varying levels of income inequality, which can impact their development trajectories and societal well-being.

Israel v Iran

Iran and Israel have Gini index values of 35.8 and 37.8 respectively. While both countries show relatively moderate levels of income inequality, Iran's index suggests slightly more equality compared to Israel. In terms of advantages, lower Gini index for Iran may indicate a more equal distribution of income among its population, potentially leading to lower social tensions and a more stable society. On the other hand, Israel's slightly higher index could reflect a wider income gap, which may foster innovation and entrepreneurship. However, this could also exacerbate social disparities and lead to unrest if not properly managed. The implications of these indices on each country's development lie in their ability to address income inequality: Iran can focus on sustaining its equality levels for social harmony, while Israel may need strategies to balance innovation and social cohesion.

Turkey v Greece

For Greece, the Gini index stands at 33.6, indicating a relatively moderate level of income inequality compared to Turkey's index of 43. This suggests that income distribution in Greece is more equal than in Turkey. In terms of advantages, Greece may benefit from a more stable social framework and potentially higher social cohesion due to lesser income disparities. However, this could also lead to reduced motivation for wealth creation. Conversely, Turkey's higher index implies greater income inequality which may stimulate economic growth through incentive mechanisms but could also exacerbate social tensions and hinder overall societal progress. Managing the Gini index effectively is crucial for both countries to achieve sustainable development and societal well-being.



FAQs