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A polarization of inequality? The distribution of national Gini coefficients 1970–1996

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Abstract

This paper presents a panel of internationally comparable Gini coefficients, based on the United Nations University/World Institute for Development Economics Research World Income Inequality Database version 1.0. The 217 data points that match minimum requirements of spatial and temporal homogeneity cover 66 developed and developing countries and span a twenty-six year period, from 1970 to 1996. Density functions for the Gini coefficients are estimated for selected points in time in order to offer a concise description of the evolution of inequality in societies across the world. The distribution of inequality appears to be slightly bimodal at the start of the period: alongside a sizable concentration of countries with low to medium levels of Gini inequality, there is a smaller one of very unequal nations, mainly located in Latin America. In the following two decades inequality levels are more homogeneous, suggesting a convergence of class structure across states. In recent times, there has been a resurgence of bimodality; the rise in the number of highly unequal societies has been driven by transition frictions in the ex-USSR area.

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  1. Economic Research Department, Bank of Italy, Via Nazionale 91, 1-00184, Rome, Italy

    Claudia Biancotti

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  1. Claudia Biancotti
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Correspondence to Claudia Biancotti.

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Biancotti, C. A polarization of inequality? The distribution of national Gini coefficients 1970–1996. J Econ Inequal 4, 1–32 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10888-005-4889-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10888-005-4889-7

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