Poverty and Inequality

Poverty affects millions of people around the world. Poverty and inequality can lead to issues that prevent people from fully participating in society. In this explanation, we will look at what poverty and inequality mean in economic terms. You will see how they are measured and their relationship with economic growth. If you are ready to learn more about poverty and inequality then keep on reading!

Poverty and inequality definition

What are the definitions of poverty and income inequality? Are they different? Let's start from the beginning.

Poverty can be measured in two different ways: absolute poverty and relative poverty.

The United Nations (UN) define absolute poverty as

In the UK, relative poverty is less than 60% of median income (£30,800 in 2020). In other words, relative poverty encompasses those who cannot afford to buy the goods they need to not be considered poor according to social norms. For example, if they can't afford a refrigerator or car.

Income inequality and poverty

Income inequality has been linked to poverty. Although it is unclear as to how exactly the two are correlated, research from LSE has found some correlation between the widening income inequality gap and poverty rates in the UK.¹

How can this be the case? Well, there may be many explanations. However, some of them include the fact that individuals with high incomes belonging to elite groups may be able to sway political interests in their favour. This means that households on low incomes are disregarded when it comes to such decision-making. Furthermore, early income earners may be finding themselves in situations where they cannot afford housing due to rising inflation and low credit availability, which causes them to be more entrenched into the lifestyle with very limited disposable income.¹

Inequality can be measured in two different ways: income inequality and wealth inequality.

Difference between poverty and income inequality

So, what's the difference between poverty and income inequality?

Income inequality is the degree to which income is distributed unequally throughout a population. Wealth inequality is how unequal the distribution of wealth is throughout a population.

A population can be divided up in many different ways to study and understand how income and wealth are distributed.

Poverty, on the other hand, as described in the previous section, is when people are unable to afford the sufficient necessities to sustain themselves.

Measurements of income inequality

Let's discuss some of the measurements of income inequality. Economists measure income inequality using a variety of criteria. The most generally used measures - the Lorenz curve, the Gini coefficient, decile ratios, the Palma ratio, and the Theil index - all have merits and limits.

The choice of what to measure is also crucial: pre-tax and after-tax income, consumption, and wealth are helpful indicators, as are various sources of income such as wages, capital gains, taxes, and perks.

Understanding the dimensions of economic inequality is a critical first step in determining the best solutions to combat it.

Measurements of income inequality: The Lorenz curve

The Lorenz curve is one measure of income inequality. It graphically depicts how income is distributed throughout a population.

Fig. 2 - Lorenz Curve

As Figure 2 above shows, the cumulative percentage of the population is plotted against the cumulative percentage of the income of a population. The straight line of equality shows a perfectly equal society. The Lorenz curve is below the line of equality. The further away it is, the greater the income inequality.

Our explanation on the Lorenz Curve discusses this graph further, how you can interpret it and some of its limitations.

Measurements of income inequality: The Gini coefficient

The Gini Coefficient is related to the Lorenz curve. It shows the ratio of the area between the 45-degree line of equality and the Lorenz curve.

As it is a ratio, it can be calculated mathematically. Its values range between 0 and 1. A value of 0 means that income is perfectly shared equally across society. A value of 1 would mean that one single person has access to all the income in a country.

Our explanation on the Gini Coefficient discusses this ratio further and how you can calculate it.

Causes of poverty and income inequality

There are many causes of both poverty and income inequality. Some causes are:

• Wages. Unequal distribution of wages on grounds of higher educational achievements or longer working hours causes a disparity among the higher income earners and lower-income earners. A higher-income earner assures more savings, which build up more wealth compared to a lower-income earner whose basic needs take precedence.
• Wealth levels. A higher level of wealth eventually leads to more wealth. With more wealth, people can undertake risky investments with a higher rate of return and therefore increased interest and income rates.
• Chance. This is based on good decision making and luck of the people who either choose the right sort of job that increases their income or they invest in assets that increase their wealth.
• Age. The age group of working adults at the peak of their career have a higher chance of increased incomes than the fresh starters, similar to the older ones who have had their chance to accumulate wealth and assets in their prime.
• Socioeconomic status. This can explain the difference in how income and wealth are distributed between countries. Developing countries may be marginalised compared to developed countries that favor international trade and negotiations that help them in economic development.