Particularly in countries where poverty declined by most, this has been the result of an increase in average income per employed person, rather than a rise in the employment rate or household activity rate. Significant distributive improvements were observed in nine countries between 2002 and 2007, which has reduced the average level of inequality in the region. Although income remains highly concentrated, these figures set an important precedent regarding the feasibility of improving the distribution of resources in Latin America. Only in Uruguay does the share of this group surpass 20%, in the other countries with a high share in the first quintile, such as Argentina, Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and Mexico, it is between 17% and 18% (see figure 1.24 and table I.A-2 in the appendix).