身边的经济学·社会常识英语30篇（1）
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Measuring Inequality: From Gini Coefficients to Real Lives
衡量不平等：从基尼系数到真实生活
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Economists use the Gini coefficient—a number between 0 and 1—to measure income inequality across a population.
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A score of 0 means perfect equality, while 1 means one person holds all income and others have none.
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National statistics offices calculate it using household survey data collected regularly and confidentially.
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But the Gini hides important details, like whether inequality is rising among the middle class or only at the extremes.
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Alternative measures include the Palma ratio, which compares top 10% income to bottom 40% income.
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Wealth inequality—measured separately—is usually far greater than income inequality due to asset accumulation.
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Policymakers also study access to education, healthcare, and housing to understand inequality beyond money.
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Cross-country comparisons require careful adjustments for cost-of-living differences and tax systems.
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High inequality can slow economic growth if large groups lack resources to participate fully in markets.
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Ultimately, these tools help societies decide whether current policies are building fairness—or deepening divides.