2004
Volume 100, Issue 2
  • ISSN: 0025-9454
  • E-ISSN: 1876-2816

Abstract

Abstract

Income inequality typically measures dispersion across populations, while analyses of other welfare dimensions focus on group differences. This study applies population-wide dispersion analysis to non-income dimensions of the level of living, comparing their trends with income inequality patterns. Using Sweden’s Level-of-Living survey data from 1968-2010, we analyzed inequalities in health, education, social relationships, civic participation, victimization, and residential space using mean average difference (MAD), relative mean average difference (RMAD) and concentration measures. Our findings challenge the assumption that non-income inequalities mirror income inequality trends. Only social relationships and participation showed partial alignment, with absolute gaps smallest during periods of low income inequality. Our results suggest that income inequality trends should not be automatically considered indicative of broader societal inequalities.

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2025-06-01
2025-09-23
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