weight to the three indicators it combines. Still, it is clearly a more useful indicator, especially for human rights purposes, than GNP per capita and one which should be seriously considered for integration into United Nations human rights activities. 84. It has also been suggested that another indicator, the Lorenz Curve, could possibly constitute a better means of measuring income distribution in society than, for instance, GNP per capita. This curve has been described as "the most widely used technique to represent and analyse the size distribution of income and wealth. The curve plots the cumulative proportion of income units and the cumulative proportion of income received when income units are arranged in ascending order of their income". 5S/ Because it reveals the deviation of each individual income from perfect equality, the Lorenz Curve at least partially captures the degree of inequality existent within a society. As such, the nearer the proximity of the curve to the equalitarian line, without crossing the original curve, the more equal the distribution of income will be. Yet, when two Lorenz Curves intersect, neither distribution can be said to be more equal than the other. While the Lorenz Curve maintains a number of elements which could be relevant to measuring the realization of economic, social and cultural rights, it has also been subject to various criticisms. 52/ For instance, the curve has recently been used to measure distribution of world GNP among coxintries for the years 1980 and 1987. The result of this usage showed that there has been an overall, though quite small, improvement in the global distribution of income. This is clearly inconsistent with other measurements which indicate the contrary. A recent UNCTAD report reveals that the economic and environmental positions of the 42 poorest States has dramatically worsened during the 1980s, with average GNP 
**Analysis**
The text discusses various indicators and metrics used to measure income distribution and inequality in society, including GNP per capita, the Human Development Index, and the Lorenz Curve. The text highlights the limitations of these indicators and suggests that the Lorenz Curve may be a better means of measuring income distribution. The text also references a UNCTAD report on the economic and environmental positions of the 42 poorest States, which suggests that the category should be related to economic development and human rights.

**Category**
Economic development, Humanitarian aid and relief