Inequality of opportunity in Italy

• DOI: 10.1007/s10888-009-9118-3
• Publication Date: 2009-08-20T05:57:19Z
• Authors: Daniele Checchi; Vito Peragine
• Keywords: Offensive; Social Inequality

In this paper we provide a methodology to measure opportunity inequality and to decompose overall income inequality in an “ethically offensive” and an “ethically acceptable” part. Moreover, we analyze inequality of opportunity in Italy. According to our results, inequality of opportunity accounts for about 20% of overall income inequality in Italy. Moreover, the regions in the South are characterized by a higher degree of opportunity inequality than the regions in the North, especially when considering population subgroups by gender.