Poverty is a complex issue rooted in social, economic, and political factors. It impacts individuals' ability to meet basic needs and participate fully in society. This topic explores various aspects of poverty, including its definition, causes, and effects.
The study of poverty is crucial in understanding social stratification. It highlights disparities in wealth and access to resources, revealing how economic inequalities persist across generations and shape societal structures.
Definition of poverty
Poverty encompasses complex socioeconomic conditions characterized by lack of resources and opportunities
Impacts individuals' ability to meet basic needs and participate fully in society
Crucial concept in social stratification, highlighting disparities in wealth and access to resources
Absolute vs relative poverty
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Global Extreme Poverty - Our World In Data View original
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Global Extreme Poverty - Our World in Data View original
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Global Extreme Poverty - Our World in Data View original
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Top images from around the web for Absolute vs relative poverty
Global Extreme Poverty - Our World in Data View original
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Global Extreme Poverty - Our World in Data View original
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Global Extreme Poverty - Our World In Data View original
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Global Extreme Poverty - Our World in Data View original
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Global Extreme Poverty - Our World in Data View original
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measures against fixed income threshold regardless of societal context
compares individuals' economic status to overall population
World Bank defines extreme poverty as living on less than $1.90 per day
Relative poverty often set at 50-60% of median national income
Poverty line measures
Official poverty thresholds used by governments to determine eligibility for assistance programs
U.S. based on cost of minimum food diet multiplied by three
Adjusted annually for inflation using Consumer Price Index (CPI)
Criticized for not accounting for regional cost-of-living differences or non-cash benefits
Multidimensional poverty index
Developed by Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative and UN Development Programme
Measures deprivations in health, education, and standard of living
Includes indicators such as nutrition, child mortality, years of schooling, and access to electricity
Provides more comprehensive view of poverty beyond income-based measures
Causes of poverty
Poverty results from complex interplay of various factors at individual and societal levels
Understanding causes crucial for developing effective poverty reduction strategies
Highlights how social stratification perpetuates economic inequalities across generations
Economic factors
Unemployment or underemployment limits income-generating opportunities
Low wages fail to cover basic living expenses
Lack of access to credit or financial services hinders economic mobility
Economic recessions or market failures disproportionately affect low-income individuals
Social factors
Limited access to quality education restricts future earning potential
Discrimination based on race, gender, or ethnicity creates barriers to opportunities
Inadequate healthcare leads to increased medical expenses and reduced productivity
Social isolation limits networking opportunities and access to resources
Political factors
Ineffective or corrupt governance fails to address poverty-related issues
Lack of representation for marginalized groups in policy-making processes
Insufficient investment in public services and infrastructure
Trade policies that favor wealthy nations or corporations over developing economies
Environmental factors
Natural disasters destroy assets and disrupt livelihoods
Climate change impacts agricultural productivity and food security