What does the Gini coefficient measure?

The Gini coefficient is a statistical measure that represents income inequality within a nation or a population. It ranges from 0 to 1, where a Gini coefficient of 0 corresponds to perfect equality (everyone has the same income) and a coefficient of 1 indicates perfect inequality (one person has all the income, and everyone else has none).

This measure is particularly useful for analyzing how income is distributed across different segments of the population, allowing economists and policymakers to assess the level of economic disparity that exists within a society. Understanding income inequality is crucial for developing economic policies aimed at promoting fairness and social welfare.

The other options focus on unrelated economic aspects. Average wealth pertains to the total assets held by individuals or a populace and does not address inequality, while unemployment refers to labor market conditions rather than income distribution. Economic growth reflects changes in a nation's economic output over time, which is distinct from the equity of that output's distribution among the population.