Gini coefficients

The ratio between the area between a Lorenz curve and the 45o line and the area below the 45o line. The Gini coefficient is a precise way of measuring the position of the Lorenz Curve. To work out the Gini coefficient we measure the ratio of the area between the Lorenz Curve and the 45 degree line to the whole area below the 45 degree line. If the Lorenz Curve was the 45 degree line - then the value of the Gini Coefficient would be zero, but as the level of inequality grows so does the Gini Coefficient. In the most extreme possible scenario the Gini Coefficient would be 1. In the UK the figure is around 0.35 and during the 1980's grew as the level of inequality increased.