Inequality in income distribution is a historic challenge for the development of several countries, especially those considered medium and low developed. Countries in Africa and South and Central America in particular face this challenge more severely, as shown by data from the Gini index, a coefficient that measures income concentration.
The statistical measure ranges from 0 to 100. The higher the number, the greater the inequality. So if income were distributed completely equally, the index would be zero. The calculation is carried out using a mathematical formula that analyzes the cumulative distribution of income in relation to the cumulative distribution of the population receiving that income.
According to the Human Development Report 2021/2022 published by United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in May this year, which provides Gini coefficients calculated using the latest data for each country between 2010 and 2021 South Africa turns out to be the nation with the greatest social inequality. The high rate is repeated in other countries around the world Africa: Of the 15 most unequal countries, 10 are on the continent.
According to the UNDP report, countries in Central and South America also reveal irregular income distribution. A Colombia It is the most socially unequal country outside of Africawith a Gini coefficient of 54.2.
According to the UN report, the Brazil is in 14th place, sharing the spot with Congo, which also has an index of 48.9. According to the IBGE May 2022, the episode of The richest 1% of Brazilians earn an average monthly income that is 32.5 times higher than the income of the poorest half of the country's population. In 2022, the country had the lowest Gini coefficient result since 2012, according to IBGE.
Full ranking of the most unequal countries according to the Gini coefficient
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