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Birth rate 38.03 births/1,000 population 8.39 births/1,000 population 12.09 births/1,000 population
WR: 10 WR: 215 WR: 158
Maternal mortality 289 deaths/100,000 live births 19 deaths/100,000 live births 2 deaths/100,000 live births
rate WR: 39 WR: 127 WR: 183
total: 63.03 deaths/1,000 live births total: 9.41 deaths/1,000 live births total: 2.34 deaths/1,000 live births
Infant mortality rate male: 65.06 deaths/1,000 live births male: 10.82 deaths/1,000 live births male: 2.68 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 60.94 deaths/1,000 live births female: 7.91 deaths/1,000 live births female: 1.98 deaths/1,000 live births
WR: 10 WR: 143 WR: 220
total population: 56.49 years total population: 76.3 years total population: 82.35 years
Life expectancy male: 55.09 years male: 72.88 years male: 80.21 years
female: 57.94 years female: 79.94 years female: 84.6 years
WR: 224 WR: 108 WR: 22
Physician density 0.08 physicians/1,000 population 2.98 physicians/1,000 population 2.92 physicians/1,000 population
School life
expectancy (total) 10 years 14 years 18 years
Largest sector of
labor force agriculture: 74.4% services: 42.8% services: 78.6%
employment and
percentage
Unemployment rate 24.5% 3.06% 3.72%
(most recent year) WR: 197 WR: 41 WR: 54
Population below
poverty line 46.1% 23.8% 12.7%
Telephones-cellular 48.65 per 100 inhabitants 117.4 per 100 inhabitants 107.5 per 100 inhabitants
WR: 67 WR: 54 WR: 117
Current Health
Expenditure 8.2% 5.6% 10.1%
Income inequality refers to the unequal distribution of income throughout a population
that gives rise to a vast imbalance of wealth. A useful tool that was created to measure the
distribution of income across a population is the Gini index. Per the CIA Factbook, the Gini
index ranges from 0-100, 0 representing perfectly equal distribution, and 100 representing
perfectly unequal distribution. Not only does the Gini index provide insight to a country’s
equality status, but it also demonstrates the country’s standard of living—the level of comfort
and wealth available to a specific area. The more equal a country’s income distribution (the
lower the Gini index), the greater their standard of living since fewer people fall below the
poverty line. By reducing economic disparities, countries with greater income equality also
obtain greater socioeconomic mobility, providing minorities and marginalized groups equal
opportunities towards success. These opportunities can be found in many areas that promote
economic growth such as education, health, and overall human capital. By increasing
employment opportunities for those who would otherwise face discriminatory setbacks, poverty
rates would in turn decrease and the country’s standard of living would drastically improve.
inequality), and Norway (low income inequality), an overall trend that ties high income
inequality to a low standard of living has certainly been found. According to the CIA Factbook,
the GDP per capita (average income earned per person in a given area) in 2020 was $1,200 for
Mozambique, $28,800 for Romania, and $63,600 for Norway. It is evident that the higher the
income inequality, the lower the country’s per capita gross domestic product (GDP). Since a
country’s GDP per capita is a significant indicator of its economic strength and stability, the fact
that Norway has an overwhelmingly larger GDP than Mozambique demonstrates how Norway is
not only more economically powerful than Mozambique, but its standard of living is also higher
since the average individual earns an exceptionally greater income, allowing for more money to
be spent to improve his or her life. In addition, it was found that 46.1% of Mozambique’s
population, 23.8% of Romania’s population, and 12.7% of Norway’s population is below the
poverty line. These statistics undoubtedly show how the more equal a country’s income
distribution is, the less their population falls below the poverty line. This indicates a greater
standard of living since less people are living in poverty due to the increase in opportunities for
equal healthcare, jobs, and education for all individuals, regardless of status, race, ethnicity, etc.
A noteworthy example of the increase in equal health benefits that is associated with
greater income equality is the fact that Norway has a physician density of 2.92 physicians per
1,000 of the population, while Mozambique has 0.08 physicians per 1,000 of the population.
Additionally, the average total life expectancy is about 56 years for Mozambique, 76 years for
Romania, and 82 years for Norway. As the distribution of income becomes more equal, it is
evident that the country experiences an increase in both available physicians and life expectancy,
indicating an increase in their standard of living since more individuals are receiving adequate
Romania of 14 years, and Norway of 18 years. The decrease in school life expectancy that is
clearly occurring as income inequality rises is most likely due to a decrease in educational
opportunities such as colleges, or the ability to even finish high school in general. Not only does
this decline in proper education lower human capital, and in turn a country’s standard of living,
but it also leads to a decrease in employment opportunities due to the inability for those living in
unemployment rate and Norway’s 3.72% unemployment rate. This proves how the lower the
country’s income distribution, the higher their unemployment rate is, largely due to the
inadequate education that is being offered to the people. As unemployment rates rise, standard of
living in turn decreases since more people fall into poverty and face greater difficulty at
While the Gini index may seem like just a number, it is much more than that. Not only
does it reveal the extent of a country’s income equality, but it also indicates the standard of living
that is experienced among its population. It is vital to take these factors into account when
examining a country’s economy to determine the necessary steps that must be taken in order for
Central Intelligence Agency. (2021, December 14). Mozambique. The World Factbook.
https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/mozambique
Central Intelligence Agency. (2021, December 14). Norway. The World Factbook.
https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/norway
Central Intelligence Agency. (2021, December 14). Romania. The World Factbook.
https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/romania
Fontinelle, A. (2021, November 29). Standard of living vs. quality of life: What's the difference?
Investopedia. https://www.investopedia.com/articles/financial-theory/08/standard-of-
living-quality-of-life.asp
Gale, a Cengage Company. (2021). Income inequality. Gale in Context: Opposing Viewpoints.
https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/MSXFTQ671495757/OVIC?u=lom_accessmich&sid=boo
kmark-OVIC&xid=2972f3cf
Smith, L. (2021, August 27). The Gini index: Measuring income distribution. Investopedia.
https://www.investopedia.com/articles/economics/08/gini-index.asp