What is the Gini coefficient a measure of?

The Gini coefficient is a statistical measure that quantifies income inequality within a population. It is represented as a number between 0 and 1, where 0 indicates perfect equality (everyone has the same income) and 1 indicates perfect inequality (one person has all the income while everyone else has none). The Gini coefficient is widely used by economists and social scientists to gauge the disparity in income distribution within a country or region. When analyzing social and economic structures, understanding the Gini coefficient helps in assessing the level of inequality, which can influence policy decisions, economic strategies, and social programs aimed at equitable growth. This measure is particularly relevant in discussions about socio-economic challenges and addressing disparities between different social groups. Other options, such as poverty levels, employment rates, and economic growth, involve different concepts and measurements that do not specifically address the distribution of income within a society.