INCOME INEQUALITY DECLINED UNDER CURRENT ADMINISTRATION

KEY POINTS:

  • The U.S. Census Bureau released data on income inequality and poverty in 2019.
  • One metric that economists use to measure income inequality is the Gini Coefficient where a higher value indicates more inequality.
  • The chart above compares the change in the Gini Coefficient between 2008 and 2016 against the change from 2016 to 2019.
  • The data show an increase in income inequality during the previous administration and a drop under the current administration.
  • In 2019 alone, average household income rose by $4,400 and minority groups had the largest gains.
  • The Right Facts will continue to investigate changes in income inequality.