Multidimensional Inequality in South Korea: An Empirical Analysis

Abstract

The objective of this study is to review the theoretical limitations of single dimensional approachesfor measuring inequality and to prove the effectiveness and practicality of the concept of “multidimensionalinequality” by analyzing the inequality embedded in Korean society. This study constitutesnine dimensions of inequality (income, education, health, employment, social capital, leisure,work-family reconciliation, housing, and social security) and analyzes inequality through the lensof each dimension by using data from of the first to fifth wave of the Korea Welfare Panel Study. The findings show a high degree of correlation among the dimensions of income, education, health,and social capital. However, work-family reconciliation and housing have a relatively low correlationwith income and the other dimensions. Second, multidimensional disparities were foundbetween the groups of gender, age, and region. In conclusion, this study found a high degree ofoverlap between the concepts of income-oriented inequalities and the multidimensional inequalityapproach. By capturing the notions of the multidimensional disparities that exist in each of thedifferent groups, this study confirmed the effectiveness of multidimensional inequality as a usefulconcept for informing the creation of social policy intervention to alleviate inequality.