Story: Income and wealth distribution

Income equality in the OECD countries (1st of 2)

This graph provides an international comparison of equality of income. It uses the Gini coefficient, which calculates the average income distance between any two individuals in the population, scaled by average income. Scores close to 100 imply extreme inequality; those close to zero suggest great equality. New Zealand's level of 35 was above the OECD average of 32. It was more equal than Mexico and the United States, around the same as Australia but less equal than most European countries. The figures were from 2014-2015, except for Japan (2012).

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How to cite this page:

Brian Easton, 'Income and wealth distribution - Personal income distribution', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/graph/23804/income-equality-in-the-oecd-countries (accessed 25 April 2024)

Story by Brian Easton, published 11 Mar 2010