Development of an Index for Diagnosing Regional Inequality Levels and Analysis of Characteristics by Region

Abstract

In South Korea, emphasizing efficiency over equity in urban development strategies has led to a sustained concentration within the capital region, perpetuating regional disparities. Regarding inequality, the deepening inter-regional disparities, coupled with the deprivation of opportunities, are questioning the feasibility of a balanced development. This study utilizes a multiple deprivation index to analyze spatial patterns of inequality across 250 municipalities nationwide, aiming to diagnose regional imbalances. Therefore, 40 detailed indicators capable of measuring deprivation levels were collected. A rescaling process followed by reliability testing organized these indicators into six sector-specific categories. Subsequently, statistical significance was assessed through ANOVA and post-hoc tests. These findings were followed by conducting Global Moran’s I and LISA analyses. The analysis revealed that the degree of inequality by sector exhibits a consistent trend of spatial clustering, with notably high values in the living environment sector. However, when examining the overall level of inequality, the values diminish, displaying a generally uniform trend and indicating that inequality is not excessively concentrated in specific areas. This suggests the importance of considering the balance between sector-specific and overall inequality in developing future policies to reduce inequality.