In this set of three notes all written in 2021, Sam, Wendy, Rajiv and I discuss two versions of the Gini coefficient, both of which appear in Gini’s original work. The discussion brings out aspects of the “population neutrality axiom” and its interconnections with what Sam and Wendy call “experienced inequality.” All three notes present different views. The conclusion is yours to draw!
In subsequent correspondence with S. Subramanian (Subbu), we see that the tension between population neutrality and other features of inequality measurement has already been recognized and discussed in papers by Subbu, John Creedy and Tony Shorrocks. I’ve added one of Subbu’s papers from 2010 to the list below.
Rajiv Sethi, Notes on the Gini Coefficient.
Debraj Ray, Notes on “Notes on the Gini Coefficient”.
Samuel Bowles and Wendy Carlin, The Gini Coefficient as a Measure of Experienced Inequality.
S. Subramanian, Variable Populations and Inequality-Sensitive Ethical Judgments.