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This article presents a simple non-polynomial spline that may be used to construct Lorenz curves from grouped data. The spline is naturally convex and works by determining a series of piecewise segments that may be joined to give a smooth and continuous Lorenz curve. The method is illustrated with an empirical example using income decile data from the Philippines from 1991-2003 where the proposed technique is used alongside other parametric and non-parametric methods. We also use the spline to approximate some known Lorenz curves and assess the technique by comparing the estimated Gini coefficient to the known Gini. Our findings suggest that the method is an attractive addition to the body of techniques used for developing Lorenz curves from grouped data.

The Lorenz curve is a diagram that shows how goods are distributed in a population. It has been used extensively in economics, mainly to study distributions of income & wealth. The curve may also be applied to peace research. It can be generalized to bivariate & trivariate forms of analysis & parameters of inequality can be related to the curve. Most of the mathematical results are restatements, in less technical language, of well-known properties of the curve, but with a stress on the social & political implications of the methodology. 7 Figures, 4 Tables. Modified HA.

The Lorenz curve is a diagram which shows how goods are distributed in a population. It has been used extensively in economics, mainly to study distributions of income and wealth. In this paper we show how the curve can be applied in peace research, how the basic curve can be generalized to bivariate and trivariate forms of analysis, and how parameters of inequality are related to the curve. Most of the mathematical results are restatements, in less technical language, of well-known prop erties of the curve, but with a stress on the social and political implications of the methodology.