Measures of inequality can be used to illustrate inequality between and within groups, but the choice of the appropriate measure can have different implications. This study focused on the Mean Logarithmic Deviation, the measure proposed by Theil and based on the techniques of statistical information theory. The MLD was selected because of its attractive properties: fulfillment of the principle of monotonicity and the possibility of additive decomposition. The following study objectives were formulated: (1) to assess the degree of inequality in the population and in the distinguished subgroups, (2) to determine the extent to which education and age influence the level of inequality, and (3) to ascertain what factors contribute to changes in the level of inequality in Poland. The study confirmed an association between the level of education and the average income of the groups distinguished on this basis. The education level of the household head remains an important determinant of household income inequality in Poland, despite the decline in the “educational bonus”. The study also found that differences in the age of the household head had a smaller effect on income inequality than the level of education. However, it can be concluded that the higher share of older people may contribute to an increase in income inequality between groups, as the income from pension in Poland is more homogeneous than the income from work in younger groups. Moreover, the current paper seeks to situate Theil’s approach in the context of scholarly writings since 1967.

The aim of the article is to compare inequalities of the household disposable income in Poland and the UK. We analyse the Theil index for types of households in 2005 and 2014. We also aim at finding out how household types contribute to the level of overall income inequality in the UK and Poland. We calculate and decompose the Theil indices based on the equivalised disposable household income from the European Union Statistics on Income and Living Conditions (EU-SILC) database. We find that “two adults below 65 with no dependent children” household group is the main contributor to the overall Theil index in both countries. We also conclude that the between-group component of the Theil index decreases in Poland and increases in the UK and, in effect, in 2014, it is twice as high in the UK as in Poland.

Research background: This paper analyses how different income sources affect the level of inequality in Poland, with focus on the role of family and children related allowances in decreasing income inequalities in 2015–2017. Therefore, the study has focused on the various subgroups of households with children. Purpose: The paper is aimed at examining the extent to which family and children related allowances affect household income inequality and identifying whether they affect inequality in various groups of households in the same way. Methodology: The study was carried out on micro-data gathered by Eurostat. To examine the extent to which different income components affect income inequality, we decompose the Gini coefficient according to the method introduced by Lerman and Yitzhaki. Results: Our study revealed that for most households with children, the inequality-reducing effect due to family and children related allowances increased in 2017 compared to 2015. However, despite the additional child-raising benefit under the “Family 500+” programme, income taxes and social security contributions remained by far the most important factor in reducing household income inequalities in Poland. Novelty: To our knowledge, no study has yet attempted to assess the extent to which family and child-allowances affect income inequality based on real data. The present analysis takes a step towards filling this gap. Unlike other studies based on microsimulation, in this paper we made use of the representative micro-data derived from the EU-SILC study.

This book is a multifaceted examination of the nature of inequalities in CEE countries. While progress has been made, significant inequalities persist, and a deeper understanding of these challenges is essential to fostering meaningful action towards a more inclusive and prosperous future. Written by scholars from two leading higher education institutions in Poland – the Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń and the SGH Warsaw School of Economics – this comprehensive research monograph examines the disparities that shape the region and offers a nuanced understanding of their origins, manifestations, and consequences. Moving beyond simplistic narratives of post-communist transformation, the book analyses the contemporary realities of CEE, exploring socioeconomic, technological, and infrastructural disparities. It investigates inequalities in income, healthcare, education, energy access, public transport, innovation, and digital inclusion, revealing the vast differences within and between countries. The book is an essential resource for anyone who wants to understand the complex realities of Central and Eastern Europe and explore the root causes of inequality in the region. It also includes policy recommendations on how to bridge inequalities to promote equal opportunities for various stakeholders. Combining rigorous research with accessible language, the book provides an overview of the challenges and opportunities ahead and will appeal to those interested in the future of the region, from researchers, academics, and students to policymakers. <!----> <!----> <!----> <!---->

In Poland, the share of the middle class in the population is growing, unlike in the United States and Western European countries, where it is shrinking. The aim of the study described in this article is to identify the middle-income class in Poland and to assess its diversity in terms of selected economic and socio-demographic aspects. The analysis was carried out taking into account class stratification as seen from an economic perspective – more specifically, the division of the society into classes according to equivalised disposable income per person in a household. The financial situation within the middle class was assessed in the breakdown into three classes: lower, core, and upper middle class. Selected aspects of household functioning served as the evaluation criteria. These were the financial aspects (the level and structure of income by source, the debt, consumption and wealth) and socio-demographic ones (the structure by age, sex and household type). The study was conducted using microdata from the European Union Statistics on Income and Living Conditions (EU-SILC) for the years 2013 and 2021. The results indicate an improvement in the financial situation of the Polish middle class and changes in its socio-demographic structure. More specifically, what was observed was the increase in the share of younger generations, including households with children, with a simultaneous decline in the position of retirees on the income ladder.