Wealth Disparities in Punjab, Pakistan: From Measurement of Gini Coefficients to Spatial Pattern Analysis Across the Districts

Abstract

This study examines the disparities in wealth inequality across districts in Punjab, Pakistan. The paper documents Gini coefficients of wealth inequality using disaggregate household data to assess disparities at the district level as well as disaggregated by urban and rural areas for each district. Furthermore, the paper deploys spatial statistical tools to explore the spatial disparities in wealth inequality in Punjab. This study finds the existence of spatial clustering in wealth inequality in districts at aggregate, urban, and rural area levels. The study emphasizes the need to allocate resources for eradication of disparities among regions and districts. Furthermore, policies and decision-making aimed at reducing regional disparities and in enhancing equity are needed. Given the spatial clustering in economic depravity, the remedial policies must be spatially aware and sensitive to spatial interdependencies discovered in this paper