<P> The quantitative variables most often used as an indicator of social inequality are income and wealth . In a given society, the distribution of individual or household accumulation of wealth tells us more about variation in well - being than does income, alone . Gross Domestic Product (GDP), especially per capita GDP, is sometimes used to describe economic inequality at the international or global level . A better measure at that level, however, is the Gini coefficient, a measure of statistical dispersion used to represent the distribution of a specific quantity, such as income or wealth, at a global level, among a nation's residents, or even within a metropolitan area . Other widely used measures of economic inequality are the percentage of people living with under US $1.25 or $2 a day and the share of national income held by the wealthiest 10% of the population, sometimes called "the Palma" measure . </P> <P> There are a number of socially defined characteristics of individuals that contribute to social status and, therefore, equality or inequality within a society . When researchers use quantitative variables such as income or wealth to measure inequality, on an examination of the data, patterns are found that indicate these other social variables contribute to income or wealth as intervening variables . Significant inequalities in income and wealth are found when specific socially defined categories of people are compared . Among the most pervasive of these variables are sex / gender, race, and ethnicity . This is not to say, in societies wherein merit is considered to be the primary factor determining one's place or rank in the social order, that merit has no effect on variations in income or wealth . It is to say that these other socially defined characteristics can, and often do, intervene in the valuation of merit . </P> <P> Gender inequality: Gender as a social inequality is whereby women and men are treated differently due to masculinity and femininity by dividing labor, assigning roles, and responsibilities and allocating social rewards . Sex - and gender - based prejudice and discrimination, called sexism, are major contributing factors to social inequality . Most societies, even agricultural ones, have some sexual division of labour and gender - based division of labour tends to increase during industrialization . The emphasis on gender inequality is born out of the deepening division in the roles assigned to men and women, particularly in the economic, political and educational spheres . Women are underrepresented in political activities and decision making processes in most states in both the Global North and Global South . </P> <P> Gender discrimination, especially concerning the lower social status of women, has been a topic of serious discussion not only within academic and activist communities but also by governmental agencies and international bodies such as the United Nations . These discussions seek to identify and remedy widespread, institutionalized barriers to access for women in their societies . By making use of gender analysis, researchers try to understand the social expectations, responsibilities, resources and priorities of women and men within a specific context, examining the social, economic and environmental factors which influence their roles and decision - making capacity . By enforcing artificial separations between the social and economic roles of men and women, the lives of women and girls are negatively impacted and this can have the effect of limiting social and economic development . </P>

Mention two causes of increasing inequality in income distribution in india