Figure 5.28: Global Comparison of Market and Disposable Income Inequality
Figure 5.28 presents a cross-country comparison of Gini coefficients for both market income (pre-redistribution) and disposable income (post-redistribution). The countries are arranged in ascending order of inequality based on their disposable income Gini. This visualization highlights that the primary cause for the wide variation in disposable income inequality among countries is the differing effectiveness of their government redistribution systems, which involve taxing the affluent and providing transfers to those less well-off. An alternative presentation of this data is accessible on the Our World in Data (OWiD) website.
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Introduction to Microeconomics Course
CORE Econ
Ch.5 The rules of the game: Who gets what and why - The Economy 2.0 Microeconomics @ CORE Econ
The Economy 2.0 Microeconomics @ CORE Econ
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Gini Coefficients for Market vs. Disposable Income in the Netherlands (2020)
Figure 5.28: Global Comparison of Market and Disposable Income Inequality
Analysis of Income Redistribution Policies
Two countries, Country A and Country B, have the same Gini coefficient for market income (income before taxes and transfers). However, after accounting for government taxes and transfers, their Gini coefficients for disposable income differ as shown below:
Country Market Income Gini Disposable Income Gini Country A 0.50 0.32 Country B 0.50 0.45 Based on this information, which of the following statements is the most accurate conclusion?
If a country's Gini coefficient for market income (income before taxes and transfers) is higher than another country's, its Gini coefficient for disposable income (income after taxes and transfers) must also be higher.
Explaining the Gini Coefficient Shift
Evaluating Claims About Economic Fairness
A country with a market income Gini coefficient of 0.5 is considering two new policies, each funded by an identical tax increase on the top 1% of earners.
- Policy X: Use the revenue to build and operate a new public transportation system, free for all citizens.
- Policy Y: Use the revenue to double the value of direct cash payments for existing social assistance programs for low-income families.
Which policy is expected to cause a larger immediate reduction in the Gini coefficient for disposable income, and why?
The table below shows the Gini coefficients for market income (income before taxes and government transfers) and disposable income (income after taxes and transfers) for four fictional countries.
Country Market Income Gini Disposable Income Gini Alfaland 0.52 0.31 Betania 0.45 0.35 Gamorra 0.55 0.48 Deltora 0.38 0.29 Based on this data, which country's government policies are most effective at reducing income inequality?
A chemical factory releases unfiltered smoke into the atmosphere, which causes respiratory problems for residents in a nearby town. The factory pays a government-mandated tax for every ton of smoke it releases. This situation is an example of an external effect.
Match each economic indicator with the aspect of income inequality it best represents in a given country.
The table below shows the Gini coefficients for income before government intervention (market income) and income after government intervention (disposable income) for four countries. A Gini coefficient of 0 represents perfect equality, and 1 represents perfect inequality.
Country Market Income Gini Disposable Income Gini Country A 0.50 0.30 Country B 0.40 0.25 Country C 0.60 0.45 Country D 0.45 0.20 Based on this data, which country's government implements the most extensive income redistribution through its tax and transfer systems?
Figure 5.28: Global Comparison of Market and Disposable Income Inequality