Rethinking Inequality Measurement: Integrative and Multidimensional Indicators for Global Comparison

This session addresses the conceptual and methodological challenges involved in constructing internationally comparable indicators of socioeconomic inequality, with a particular focus on bridging the Global North and the Global South. We propose a discussion of comparative indices of socioeconomic inequality as innovative, multidimensional, and integrative measurement frameworks.

These approaches rely on the use of “integrating concepts” to reconceptualize inequality across diverse socio-institutional contexts, thereby enabling meaningful comparisons between different regions. The session will explore how complex inequalities can be captured through synthetic indicators that combine key structural dimensions—such as education, occupation, and income—while incorporating cross-cutting perspectives, including gender and temporal dynamics. By embedding these elements within an analytical model, the proposed measures aim to reflect both macro-structural patterns and individual trajectories, thus offering a more comprehensive account of inequality processes.

A central contribution lies in addressing comparability challenges through conceptual harmonisation rather than mere statistical aggregation. The inclusion of heterogeneous realities—such as informal labour in Latin America and precarious employment in Europe—illustrates the need for epistemological innovation in indicator construction.

The session invites empirical and methodological contributions engaging with multidimensional indicators, comparative research designs, and data harmonisation strategies. It aims to foster dialogue on how social indicators can better capture evolving inequalities in a context of global crises, ultimately contributing to more robust diagnostics and policy-relevant measurement tools for international sociology.