Figure 9. Global Income Distribution and Gender in 2007
in PPP constant 2005 international dollars*Source: Authors’ calculations using World Bank (2011), UNU-WIDER (2008), United Nations (2009)
- According to the inter-country accounting model
2.E. Middle classes
Looking at distribution information across country income
groupings (e.g. low-, middle- and high-income) adds further insight
into the evolution of income inequality in the world (Figure 10 and
Table 10). Viewed from this perspective, there are two striking
observations. One is the extremely high level of inequality that
characterizes middle-income countries. The second is the relative
loss of income—or absence of change—of the middle and lower
classes in favor of the wealthier, upper-income groups in both low-
and high-income countries over time.
Figure 10. Income Distribution by Country Income Levels, 1990- 2007
(or latest available) in PPP constant 2005 international dollars*Source: Authors’ calculations using World Bank (2011), UNU-WIDER (2008) and Eurostat (2011)
- According to the global accounting model