Gini index, gini coefficient, coefficient of concentration, gini’s ratio
If you are trying to find the Gini index rather than calculate it yourself*, know that it can be a bit tricky to find. Some places you can look for Gini index are:
WIDER World Income Inequality Database (WIID)
Human Development Reports, United Nations Development Programme
Annual reports from 1990 to present, downloadable in .pdf. In the chapter on Human Development Indicators, there should be a table that includes the Gini coefficient. For example, in the 2004 edition, they are in table number 14. See also the “Get Indicators” portion of their web site, where you can download an Excel table with the Gini index.
World Development Indicators
Not as comprehensive as the WIID. The documentation is helpful. Remember to use the link from this page or from the library’s databases page so you access the subscription version rather than the free one.
World Development Report 2006
CC Reference HC 59.7 .W659 2006
Table A2 includes the Gini index for countries plus alternative measures of inequality.
The CIA World Factbook has some countries and some years.
*The gini coefficient is a measure of inequality, derived from the Lorenz curve (measuring the area between the Lorenz curve and a hypothetical line of absolute equality). Values range from 0 to 1, with 0 representing perfect equality and 1 representing perfect inequality. It can also be expressed as a percentage and calculated differently from one source to the next, so read the documentation.
**To assure that you understand the Gini index, try the following sources:
- “Measuring Inequality” and “Technical Note: Inequality Measures and their Decompositions” from the World Bank.
- Vogt, W. Paul. 2005. Dictionary of Statistics & Methodology: A Nontechnical Guide for the Social Sciences.
Ref. HA 17 .V64 2005 - Black, John. 1997. A Dictionary of Economics.
Ref. HB 61 .B554 1997 - World Bank. “Distribution of Income or Consumption.” 2006 World Development Indicators (print), Section 2.8, p. 79.
Ref HC 59.15 .W656 2006 - World Bank. “Measuring Equity: Technical Notes.” World Development Report 2006. p. 287
Ref. HC 59.7 .W659 2006