This can be measured using the Gini Coefficient; this is a ratio that shows the level of income inequality in a country. It is a ratio with values between 0 and 1.0; the lower the value, the more equal is income distribution.
On a global scale, the World Bank's definition of poverty (US$1.25/day PPP) is used to show absolute poverty. (PPP= Purchasing Power Parity; this is important as the cost to purchase the minimum amount of food, clothes and shelter varies greatly between countries.
We can also use the USA's poverty threshold, which is a monetary value adjusted each year to take account of changes to inflation.
The last measurement is relative poverty; in the UK and throughout the EU, the relative poverty level is about 60% of the median household income.
Relative poverty is a useful measure as it relates the level of poverty to the distribution of income across the whole population.
1 of 5
Housing
Housing tenure (who owns the house, is it rented, etc.) is an important indicator of social inequality.
In many ACs, occupiers often own their house outright due to mortgages. If not, some people rent from private landlords, while others rent from a local authority (council). Charities and housing associations also provide subsidised accomodation for rent.
In LIDCs, housing tenure is complex, espescially in the slum areas; there is often a well-organised system of landlords and tenants in these areas.
2 of 5
Education
Formal education is provided by schools, colleges, apprenticeships and universities. Informal education can be gained from doing something in the home or workplace, for example learning how to cook at home.
Contrasts in literacy levels give an indication of inequality in education. Literacy is a measure of the ability to read and write to a basic level. Globally there are clear constrasts among countries in levels of literacy and especially in terms of gender equality.
The acquisition of skills can be underestimated if only formal qualifications are measured. This is particularly true when studying societies in EDCs and LIDCs.
3 of 5
Health Care
Access to healthcare and levels of ill health are closely associated with social inequality.
The number of doctors per 1000 people is often used to describe health inequality on a global scale.
In the UK, increasing attention is paid to unequal access to health care, the so-called 'postcode lottery'. Depending on where you live, the level of medical provision through the National Health Service varies.
Health is not just a matter of medical provision; access to clean water, sanitation and diet, air quality, etc. have an effect and so does social behaviour and attitudes (i.e. to vaccines and male-female relationships).
4 of 5
Employment
Whether a household includes someone who is in receipt of regular income has a profound impact on the standard of living and quality of life.
Unemployment is not easy to assess; not all countries take counts of employment and defining what counts as employment and what does not can be difficult.
Someone may be in employment but receiving only low wages; in ACs, rural places generally have lower average incomes than urban dwellers.
In LIDCs and EDCs (urban areas) millions make a living in the informal sector; this has drawbacks in that you can work for 10 hours a day and still be unable to afford a home.
Comments
Report