Which of the following indicates a measure of economic inequality?

Income distribution is a vital measure of economic inequality as it directly pertains to how income is allocated across different segments of a population. This distribution reveals the disparities between the wealthiest and the poorest individuals or groups within a society. When analyzing income distribution, sociologists and economists utilize metrics such as the Gini coefficient or income quintiles, which illustrate how evenly or unevenly income is spread among the populace. High levels of inequality can indicate a concentration of wealth with little income available to lower-income individuals, affecting various aspects of life, including access to resources and opportunities.

In contrast, while population density, health care access, and educational attainment can reflect aspects of social inequality, they do not specifically measure economic inequality. Population density refers to the number of people living in a given area and can impact living conditions but does not inherently address wealth distribution. Health care access is about the availability and quality of medical resources available to different populations, which can be influenced by economic factors but does not directly measure wealth disparities. Educational attainment relates to the level of education achieved by individuals and can reflect socioeconomic status but does not provide a direct measure of income inequality itself.