inequality
The report highlights the growing inequality in access to healthcare between urban and rural areas.
The report shows how people in cities have much better access to healthcare than those in the countryside.
The state of not being equal, especially in status, rights, or opportunities.
Economic inequality has widened significantly over the past decade.
The gap between rich and poor has become much larger in the last ten years.
Social inequality often leads to systemic discrimination.
Unfair social conditions frequently create ongoing patterns of prejudice.
Often used in discussions about social justice, economics, and policy-making.
A difference in size, degree, or circumstances that is considered unjust.
The report examines wage inequality between men and women in the same profession.
The study looks at how much less women earn compared to men doing the same job.
Commonly analyzed in terms of income, wealth, or resource distribution.
Lack of uniformity or balance in a system or process.
The inequality in the dataset made it difficult to draw reliable conclusions.
The uneven distribution of data points made the results unreliable.
In mathematics, refers to a mathematical expression involving symbols like <, >, ≤, or ≥.
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Pro Tip
Avoiding ambiguity
Use 'inequality' when discussing unfair or unjust differences, not just any difference. For neutral contrasts, terms like 'difference' or 'variation' are more appropriate.
Gold Rule
Context matters
Always consider the context when using 'inequality.' In social sciences, it typically implies injustice; in mathematics, it refers to a mathematical relationship.
Word Origin
From Latin * inaequalitas*, from *inaequalis* (unequal), from *in-* (not) + *aequalis* (equal). First recorded in English in the late 14th century.
Usage Notes
Inequality often implies unfairness or injustice, whereas 'difference' or 'variation' may simply describe a neutral state. Context determines whether the term carries a negative connotation.