U.S. INCOME INEQUALITY

Why does income inequality matter? Inequality may be inevitable, but its extent is not. Nations vary considerably in their extent of inequality, whether defined by income, wealth, gender, race, ethnicity, health, or else. Inequality shapes people’s present lives and future prospects. Knowing more about inequality allows people to, among other things, better understand their place in society, how people live, and why people act and perform differently. This quiz reveals some basic facts about income inequality in the United States.

Note: Special thanks to Learning Life intern, Kane Boynton, for conducting the research for this quiz, and writing up the quiz questions and answers.

 

Why does income inequality matter? Inequality may be inevitable, but its extent is not. Nations vary considerably in their extent of inequality, whether defined by income, wealth, gender, race, ethnicity, health, or else. Inequality shapes people’s present lives and future prospects. Knowing more about inequality allows people to, among other things, better understand their place in society, how people live, and why people act and perform differently. This quiz reveals some basic facts about income inequality in the United States.
Note: Special thanks to Learning Life intern, Kane Boynton, for helping to research and write this quiz.

1. The lowest income quintile (lowest 20%) of Americans make what percent of the total income for all Americans?
2. The top 5% of Americans based on income make what percent of the total income for all Americans?
3. What percent of Americans live below the federal poverty line?
4. In the United States, females 15 years and older working year-round make $____ to every $1 a male 15 years and older working year-round makes.
5. Rank the four main races/ethnicities in the U.S.(Asian, Black, Hispanic of any race, and non-Hispanic White) from highest annual income to lowest.