Jacques Silber

Factor Components, Population Subgroups and the Computation of the Gini Index of Inequality

A simple technique based on matrix algebra is proposed to compute the Gini Index of Inequality; to obtain its decomposition by factor components when detailed data on income sources are available; to derive a breakdown of the inequality into, within, and between classes inequality when the income units are grouped by income range; and to compute the contribution of the within and between groups inequality, as well as that of some interaction term, when the data are classified by population subgroups. Copyright 1989 by MIT Press.

Quantitative Approaches to Multidimensional Poverty Measurement

Foreword N.Lustig Preface N.Kakwani Introduction: Quantitative Approaches to Multidimensional Poverty Measurement N.Kakwani & J.Silber The Information Theory Approach E.Maasoumi & M.A.Lugo The Fuzzy Approach to Multidimensional Poverty G.Betti, B.Cheli, A.Lemmi & V.Verma The Rasch Model and Multidimensional Poverty Measurement A.Fusco & P.Dickes Multidimensional Poverty: Factor and Cluster Analysis G.F.Luzzi, Y.Fluckiger & S.Weber Multidimensional Poverty and Multiple Correspondence Analysis L-M.Asselin & V.T.Anh Permanent Income, Poverty Measurement and the MIMIC Model R.H.Abul Naga & E.Bolzani Multidimensional Measures of Poverty and Well-Being based on Latent Variable Models J.Krishnakumar The Subjective Approach to Multidimensional Poverty Measurement B.van Praag & A.Ferrer-i-Carbonell The Econometric Approach to Efficiency Analysis X.Ramos Efficiency Analysis and the Lower Convex Hull G.Anderson, I.Crawford & A.Leicester The Axiomatic Approach to Multidimensional Poverty Measurement S.R.Chakravarty & J.Silber Determining the Parameters of Axiomatically Derived Multidimensional Poverty Indices C.E.Velez& M.Robles The Order of Acquisition of Durable Goods and the Measurement of Multidimensional Poverty J.Deutsch & J.Silber Using an Ordinal Approach to Multidimensional Poverty Analysis J-Y.Duclos, D.Sahn & S.D.Younger

The many dimensions of poverty

Preface N.Kakwani Foreword N.Lustig Introduction: The Many Dimensions of Poverty N.Kakwani & J.Silber PART ONE: DIFFERENT DISCIPLINES, DIVERSE PERCEPTIONS Multidimensional Poverty: Conceptual and Measurement Issues E.Thorbecke Measuring Poverty: The Case for a Sociological Approach D.B.Grusky & K.A.Weeden Poverty Counts: Living with Poverty and Poverty Measures S.Berry The Multidimensionality of Poverty: An Institutionalist Perspective A.Sindzingre The Subjective Dimension of Poverty: A Psychological Viewpoint J.Palomar Lever PART II: ON POVERTY AND FREEDOM The Capability Approach: Mapping Measurement Issues and Choosing Dimensions S.Alkire On the Concept and Measurement of Empowerment R.Alsop Participation, Pluralism and Perceptions of Poverty R.Chambers A Human Rights Based Approach to Poverty L.J.van Rensburg PART III: EXTENDING THE CONCEPT OF MULTIDIMENSIONAL POVERTY Indentifying and Measuring Chronic Poverty: Beyond Monetary Measures? D.Hulme & A.McKay Risk and Vulnerability to Poverty C.Calvo & S.Dercon PART IV: CRITICAL POLICY ISSUES On the Political Economy of Poverty Alleviation M.C.Neri & M.C.Xerez On Assessing the Pro-Poorness of Government Programmes: International Comparisons N.Kakwani & H.H.Son

On the measurement of employment segregation

Abstract A new index of occupational segregation is proposed, which is related to Ginis Concentration Ratio. An illustration based on French data (1987) indicates that similar conclusions are drawn whether the famous dissimilarity index [Duncan and Duncan (1955)] or the one proposed here is used, but the new index might have some advantage over the one suggested by the Duncans.

Occupational segregation in the multidimensional case Decomposition and tests of significance

A new multidimensional version of the G-segregation index is developed and applied to the study of occupational segregation. U.S. Current Population Survey data are used to measure the difference in occupational segregation between races as well as the change between time periods. Decomposition of the difference (change) into ‘occupation mix’ and ‘gender composition’ components indicates the contribution of each factor. Because these inequality measures are computed from sample data, distributional information required to test hypotheses is lacking. Two computer-intensive methods for estimating the distributional properties are demonstrated. The approximate randomization and bootstrap methodologies are used to test for statistically significant differences in segregation between races and for changes over time. In addition, the components of the decomposition are examined for statistical significance.

Inequality Decomposition by Population Subgroups and the Analysis of Interdistributional Inequality

In empirical studies of the size distribution of incomes, a question is often encountered which concerns the extent to which inequality in the total population is a consequence of income differences between population subgroups classified by characteristics such as age, gender, race, educational level or area of residence. (1975), for example, suggested neutralizing the effect of age before measuring income inequality; his proposal has been commented on by many authors (e.g., Danziger, 1977; Johnson, 1977, Kurien, 1977; Minarik, 1977; Nelson, 1977; Paglin, 1977; Wertz, 1979; Formby and Seaks, 1980; Formby, Seaks and Smith, 1989; Paglin, 1989).

Measuring occupational segregation: Summary statistics and the impact of classification errors and aggregation

The study of occupational segregation is shown to be related to that of income inequality, the gender ratio in each occupation playing the role of individual income. Measures of the dispersion, skewness, kurtosis, and concentration of the distribution of this gender ratio are suggested, and an empirical illustration based on Swiss data for the period 1950–1980 is given. Finally bootstrap techniques are used to check the impact of classification errors and aggregation on the measurement of occupational segregation.

Measuring Multidimensional Poverty: The Axiomatic Approach

The elimination of poverty has been and continues to be one of the primary aims of economic policy in a large number of countries. Therefore, the targeting of poverty alleviation is still a very important issue in many countries. It is thus necessary to know the dimension of poverty and the process through which it seems to be aggravated. One natural question that arises in this context is: how do we quantify the extent of poverty?

A generalized index of employment segregation

Abstract This article axiomatically derives a class of numerical indices of integration (equality) in the distribution of male–female workers across occupations. The associated segregation (inequality) indices parallel the multidimensional Atkinson inequality indices. Two members of the class of segregation indices are monotonically related to the Hutchens [Hutchens, R.M., 2004. One measure of segregation. International Economic Review 45, 555–578.] square root index and the Theil–Finizza (1967) index. A numerical illustration of the family of indices is also provided using U.S. occupational data.

Inequality Decomposition by Income

A new decomposition of the Gini index by income source is proposed. It distinguishes between three components: the true Gini index of the source, a permutation, and an aggregation component. Copyright 1993 by MIT Press.