Measuring inequality

Measuring changes in inequality helps determine the effectiveness of policies and other activities, especially those aimed specifically at reducing inequality.  Measuring inequality also enables the community to understand better how all South Australians are faring. 

There are many ways to examine inequality, and to describe how to address it.
One can:
1.  Focus upon those who are the most disadvantaged, and aim to improve their outcomes - (e.g. perhaps the most disadvantaged 20% of the population); or
2.  Focus on the gap between those at the outer ends of the socioeconomic hierarchy (those who are the most disadvantaged and those who are the least disadvantaged) and aim to reduce the gap between them  - (e.g. narrow the gap between the least disadvantaged 20% and most disadvantaged 20% of the population); or
3.  Focus on minimising the differences or gradient that exists across the whole population - (e.g. raise all groups in the population to the position of the least disadvantaged 20%). 

Often, a range of activities are undertaken which use all of the approaches listed above to address inequality.

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