The Gini index, which measures inequality, has declined from 64 in 1989 to 56 in 2009 where an index of 0 means perfect equality (the US Gini index was 45 in in 2009).

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The Gini index, which measures inequality between the social classes, went from a pre-tax level of 0.402 when Carter took the helm in January 1977, to a slightly worse 0.406, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

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The Gini index measures inequality.

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He was in favour of talking to Sinn Fein and the IRA. He was a strong supporter of the recognition of gay rights and measures to address inequality faced by women and ethnic minorities.

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Thus consumption inequality is rather lower than market income measures would tell us.

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As it happens, when the poor countries are having their industrial revolutions global inequality (by either Concept 2 or 3 measures) seems to decline.

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But the measures of income usually reported as showing rising inequality do not even include such transfer payments in their definition of income.

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Of the many plausible measures, Mr Castles's statement rests on the one most favourable to the view that inequality is falling.

ECONOMIST: Letters