Transformations that minimize the Gini index of a random variable and applications

被引:0
作者
McAsey, Michael [1 ]
Mou, Libin [1 ]
机构
[1] Bradley Univ, Dept Math, Peoria, IL 61625 USA
关键词
Gini index; Minimization; Equitable taxation;
D O I
10.1007/s10888-021-09508-4
中图分类号
F [经济];
学科分类号
02 ;
摘要
Let X be a continuous or discrete random variable with values in [0, M] and consider all functions (here called transformations) q : [0, M] -> [0, infinity) that are increasing and have - given bounded rates B <= q(v)-q(u)/v-u <= A for u < v. We prove that among such transformations, there is a transformation q that minimizes the Gini index of q (X), and such a q can be chosen as piecewise linear with only two rates, namely A and B. In the motivation for the study, X represents the incomes of a population. Our results imply that among all such tax policies with fixed allowable minimum and maximum tax rates, there is a tax policy that minimizes the Gini index of the disposable incomes of the population and such a tax policy has only two brackets with the given minimum and maximum rates.
引用
收藏
页码:483 / 502
页数:20
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