Koen Decancq | University of Antwerp (original) (raw)
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Papers by Koen Decancq
Social Indicators Research, 2016
Social Indicators Research, 2016
Working Papers, 2009
We propose to measure inequality of well-being with a multidimensional generalization of the Gini... more We propose to measure inequality of well-being with a multidimensional generalization of the Gini coefficient. We derive two inequality indices from their underlying social evaluation functions. These functions are conceived as a double aggregation functions: one across the dimensions of well-being, and another across the individuals. They differ only with respect to the sequencing of aggregations. We argue that the sequencing that does not exclude the Gini index to be sensitive to the correlation between the dimensions is more attractive. We illustrate both Gini indices using Russian household data on three dimensions of well-being: expenditure, health and education.
SSRN Electronic Journal, 2000
This paper investigates the evolution of global well-being inequality between 1980 and 2010 based... more This paper investigates the evolution of global well-being inequality between 1980 and 2010 based on three dimensions: income, health and education. The inequality of each of these dimensions shows a di¤erent pattern over time. To make an overall assessment of the evolution of well-being inequality, I make use of a recently developed multidimensional inequality index which re ‡ects the implicit value judgments of the revised Human Development Index. Multidimensional well-being inequality has decreased over the considered period. However, this result is shown to depend crucially on the weighting scheme selected, the aggregation procedure and the transformation of the income dimension.
Journal of Public Economics, 2015
ABSTRACT We argue that normative indices of multidimensional inequality do not only measure a dis... more ABSTRACT We argue that normative indices of multidimensional inequality do not only measure a distribution’s extent of inequity (i.e., the gaps between the better-off and the worse-off), but also its extent of inefficiency (i.e., the non-realized mutually beneficial exchanges of goods). We provide a decomposition that allows us to quantify these two parts of inequality. Strikingly, the inequity component turns out to be a two-stage measure, that is, a measure that applies a unidimensional inequality measure to the vector of individual well-being levels. The decomposition also clarifies existing controversies surrounding two prominent transfer axioms, viz., uniform majorization and correlation increasing majorization. An application to inequality in human development illustrates the analysis.
SSRN Electronic Journal, 2000
How Successful Are European Welfare States?, 2013
Social Indicators Research, 2015
Handbook of Income Distribution, 2015
Economica, 2014
ABSTRACT We study the evolution of population-weighted between-country inequality in the period 1... more ABSTRACT We study the evolution of population-weighted between-country inequality in the period 1980–2009. Whereas previous studies almost exclusively focused on relative inequality measures, we consider relative, absolute and intermediate versions of the Lorenz dominance criterion and of the S-Gini and generalized entropy classes of inequality measures. The analysis yields robust evidence for increasing absolute inequality. Moreover, this conclusion is preserved for intermediate views substantially in the direction of the relative view. In contrast, robust evidence for decreasing inequality—be it relative, absolute or intermediate—is virtually absent. These findings challenge the widely accepted claim of decreasing between-country inequality.
Open Access publications from Katholieke …, Jun 15, 2009
Social Indicators Research, 2016
Social Indicators Research, 2016
Working Papers, 2009
We propose to measure inequality of well-being with a multidimensional generalization of the Gini... more We propose to measure inequality of well-being with a multidimensional generalization of the Gini coefficient. We derive two inequality indices from their underlying social evaluation functions. These functions are conceived as a double aggregation functions: one across the dimensions of well-being, and another across the individuals. They differ only with respect to the sequencing of aggregations. We argue that the sequencing that does not exclude the Gini index to be sensitive to the correlation between the dimensions is more attractive. We illustrate both Gini indices using Russian household data on three dimensions of well-being: expenditure, health and education.
SSRN Electronic Journal, 2000
This paper investigates the evolution of global well-being inequality between 1980 and 2010 based... more This paper investigates the evolution of global well-being inequality between 1980 and 2010 based on three dimensions: income, health and education. The inequality of each of these dimensions shows a di¤erent pattern over time. To make an overall assessment of the evolution of well-being inequality, I make use of a recently developed multidimensional inequality index which re ‡ects the implicit value judgments of the revised Human Development Index. Multidimensional well-being inequality has decreased over the considered period. However, this result is shown to depend crucially on the weighting scheme selected, the aggregation procedure and the transformation of the income dimension.
Journal of Public Economics, 2015
ABSTRACT We argue that normative indices of multidimensional inequality do not only measure a dis... more ABSTRACT We argue that normative indices of multidimensional inequality do not only measure a distribution’s extent of inequity (i.e., the gaps between the better-off and the worse-off), but also its extent of inefficiency (i.e., the non-realized mutually beneficial exchanges of goods). We provide a decomposition that allows us to quantify these two parts of inequality. Strikingly, the inequity component turns out to be a two-stage measure, that is, a measure that applies a unidimensional inequality measure to the vector of individual well-being levels. The decomposition also clarifies existing controversies surrounding two prominent transfer axioms, viz., uniform majorization and correlation increasing majorization. An application to inequality in human development illustrates the analysis.
SSRN Electronic Journal, 2000
How Successful Are European Welfare States?, 2013
Social Indicators Research, 2015
Handbook of Income Distribution, 2015
Economica, 2014
ABSTRACT We study the evolution of population-weighted between-country inequality in the period 1... more ABSTRACT We study the evolution of population-weighted between-country inequality in the period 1980–2009. Whereas previous studies almost exclusively focused on relative inequality measures, we consider relative, absolute and intermediate versions of the Lorenz dominance criterion and of the S-Gini and generalized entropy classes of inequality measures. The analysis yields robust evidence for increasing absolute inequality. Moreover, this conclusion is preserved for intermediate views substantially in the direction of the relative view. In contrast, robust evidence for decreasing inequality—be it relative, absolute or intermediate—is virtually absent. These findings challenge the widely accepted claim of decreasing between-country inequality.
Open Access publications from Katholieke …, Jun 15, 2009