Lorenzgörbe

The Lorenzgörbe, also known as the Lorenz curve, is a graphical representation used in economics and social sciences to illustrate the distribution of wealth or income within a population. It was developed by the economist Max Lorenz in 1905. The curve is plotted on a coordinate system where the x-axis represents the cumulative percentage of the population, ordered by their income or wealth, and the y-axis represents the cumulative percentage of the total income or wealth. The Lorenz curve is typically compared to a line of equality, which represents perfect equality in the distribution of income or wealth.

The Gini coefficient, often used in conjunction with the Lorenz curve, is a measure of inequality. It is calculated as the area between the Lorenz curve and the line of equality, divided by the area under the line of equality. A Gini coefficient of 0 indicates perfect equality, while a coefficient of 1 indicates perfect inequality.

The Lorenzgörbe is widely used in economic research and policy-making to assess income and wealth distribution, and to evaluate the effectiveness of policies aimed at reducing inequality. It provides a visual and quantitative tool for understanding and comparing the distribution of resources within different societies or over time.