Increasing Access to Education and Health

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 0 views

Analysis of Household Income Inequality in Relation to Regional Development: A Case Study of Coastal, Lowlands, and Mountains of Deli Serdang Regency

Introduction

Household income inequality is a pressing issue in many regions around the world, including Deli Serdang Regency in Indonesia. The regency is characterized by diverse geographical features, including coastal areas, lowlands, and mountainous regions. This study aims to examine the inequality of household income in Deli Serdang Regency by dividing the area into three parts: coastal areas, lowlands, and mountainous regions. The study employed a survey method, involving 256 households as samples scattered in the three regions. Data was collected through direct interviews using the Multiple cluster sampling method to withdraw regional sampling and Systematic sampling for withdrawing household research units. Data analysis was carried out using three criteria, namely World Bank criteria, Lorenz curve, and Gini Ratio.

Methodology

The study employed a survey method to collect data from 256 households in Deli Serdang Regency. The sampling method used was a combination of Multiple cluster sampling and Systematic sampling. The Multiple cluster sampling method was used to withdraw regional sampling, while the Systematic sampling method was used to withdraw household research units. The data was collected through direct interviews with the household heads. The data analysis was carried out using three criteria: World Bank criteria, Lorenz curve, and Gini Ratio.

Results

The results of the study showed that the level of inequality of household income in Deli Serdang Regency was generally low. The Gini ratio of 0.35416 indicates that 40% of the lowest income households only enjoy 19.71% of the total regional income. However, when further investigated by region, significant differences were found:

Coastal Area

Income inequality in coastal areas is classified as a moderate category with a Gini ratio of 0.47072. This means that 40% of the lowest income households only enjoy 14.21% of the total regional income. The coastal area is characterized by a high dependence on the fisheries sector, which is vulnerable to climate change and price fluctuations. This limited access to resources and economic opportunities may contribute to the high level of income inequality in the coastal area.

Lowlands

Income inequality in the lowlands is relatively low with a Gini ratio of 0.27092. 40% of the lowest income households enjoy 22.56% of the total regional income. The lowlands are characterized by a more diverse economic structure, including agriculture, industry, and tourism. This diversification of economic activities may contribute to a lower level of income inequality in the lowlands.

Mountain Plateau

Income inequality in the mountainous plateau is also relatively low with a Gini ratio of 0.2304. 40% of the lowest income households enjoy 24.72% of the total regional income. The mountainous plateau is characterized by a more limited access to resources and economic opportunities compared to the lowlands. However, the plateau has a more diverse economic structure, including agriculture and tourism, which may contribute to a lower level of income inequality.

Factors Causing Inequality

The study found that household expenditure is significantly influenced by household dependents, the length of education of the head of the household, and the age of the head of the household. The factors causing inequality in each region are:

Coastal Area

Income inequality in coastal areas may be caused by limited access to resources and economic opportunities. This can be caused by dependence on the fisheries sector, which is vulnerable to climate change and price fluctuations. Low levels of education and health in coastal areas can also be a factor inhibiting income increase.

Lowlands

Income inequality in the lowlands is relatively low due to a more diverse economic structure, including agriculture, industry, and tourism. This diversification of economic activities may contribute to a lower level of income inequality in the lowlands.

Mountain Plateau

Income inequality in the mountainous plateau is also relatively low due to a more limited access to resources and economic opportunities compared to the lowlands. However, the plateau has a more diverse economic structure, including agriculture and tourism, which may contribute to a lower level of income inequality.

Implications for Regional Development

The study has some important implications for regional development in Deli Serdang Regency:

Increasing Access to Education and Health

The development of education and health infrastructure in coastal areas needs to be improved to improve the quality of human resources and open access to better economic opportunities.

Economic Diversification

Economic diversification in coastal areas, such as the development of the tourism sector and small and medium industries, can reduce dependence on the fisheries sector and increase income opportunities.

Improving Infrastructure Quality

Improving the quality of infrastructure in the lowlands and highlands of the mountains, such as roads, electricity, and communication, will encourage economic growth and open access to broader markets.

Conclusion

This study provides a comprehensive picture of the inequality of household income in Deli Serdang Regency. The results of this study are expected to be a consideration for the government and stakeholders in formulating more effective development policies and programs to achieve income distribution and improve the welfare of the community in all regions. The study highlights the importance of increasing access to education and health, economic diversification, and improving infrastructure quality to reduce income inequality in Deli Serdang Regency.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Household Income Inequality in Deli Serdang Regency

Q: What is household income inequality?

A: Household income inequality refers to the unequal distribution of income among households in a given area. It is a measure of how much income is concentrated among a few households, and how much is spread out among many households.

Q: What are the main factors that contribute to household income inequality in Deli Serdang Regency?

A: The main factors that contribute to household income inequality in Deli Serdang Regency are:

Limited access to resources and economic opportunities
Low levels of education and health
Dependence on a single sector (such as the fisheries sector)
Limited access to infrastructure (such as roads, electricity, and communication)

Q: What are the implications of household income inequality for regional development in Deli Serdang Regency?

A: The implications of household income inequality for regional development in Deli Serdang Regency are:

Reduced economic growth and development
Increased poverty and inequality
Limited access to education and health services
Limited access to infrastructure and economic opportunities

Q: What are some potential solutions to address household income inequality in Deli Serdang Regency?

A: Some potential solutions to address household income inequality in Deli Serdang Regency are:

Increasing access to education and health services
Economic diversification (such as developing the tourism sector and small and medium industries)
Improving infrastructure quality (such as roads, electricity, and communication)
Providing support for vulnerable households (such as those with low incomes or limited access to resources)

Q: How can the government and stakeholders in Deli Serdang Regency work to address household income inequality?

A: The government and stakeholders in Deli Serdang Regency can work to address household income inequality by:

Developing and implementing policies and programs to increase access to education and health services
Supporting economic diversification and infrastructure development
Providing support for vulnerable households
Monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of these efforts

Q: What are some potential challenges to addressing household income inequality in Deli Serdang Regency?

A: Some potential challenges to addressing household income inequality in Deli Serdang Regency are:

Limited resources and funding
Limited capacity and expertise among government and stakeholders
Limited access to data and information
Limited political will and commitment to addressing inequality

Q: How can the community in Deli Serdang Regency get involved in addressing household income inequality?

A: The community in Deli Serdang Regency can get involved in addressing household income inequality by:

Participating in community-based initiatives and programs
Providing feedback and input to government and stakeholders
Supporting and advocating for policies and programs that address inequality
Building partnerships and collaborations with government and stakeholders

Q: What are some potential benefits of addressing household income inequality in Deli Serdang Regency?

A: Some potential benefits of addressing household income inequality in Deli Serdang Regency are:

Reduced poverty and inequality
Increased economic growth and development
Improved access to education and health services
Improved access to infrastructure and economic opportunities
Improved overall well-being and quality of life for households in Deli Serdang Regency.