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arXiv · 1510.06085

Quantile Versions of the Lorenz Curve

Luke A. Prendergast·Robert G. Staudte
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Abstract

The classical Lorenz curve is often used to depict inequality in a population of incomes, and the associated Gini coefficient is relied upon to make comparisons between different countries and other groups. The sample estimates of these moment-based concepts are sensitive to outliers and so we investigate the extent to which quantile-based definitions can capture income inequality and lead to more robust procedures. Distribution-free estimates of the corresponding coefficients of inequality are obtained, as well as sample sizes required to estimate them to a given accuracy. Convexity, transference and robustness of the measures are examined and illustrated.

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Luke A. Prendergast, Robert G. Staudte. 2015-10-20. Quantile Versions of the Lorenz Curve. https://doi.org/10.1214/16-ejs1154

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