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Economics glossary · Work and what it pays

Lorenz curve

What lorenz curve means in economics, with an example and a question to test yourself.

Definition
Lorenz curve
A Lorenz curve is a graph comparing the cumulative share of income actually received with a perfectly equal distribution of income.
Not to be confused with: Line of perfect equality
The line of perfect equality is the diagonal where the bottom forty per cent of people get forty per cent of income, and so on for every share.
Test yourself

What is the difference between lorenz curve and line of perfect equality?

Learn it properly: the module

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