Have you ever thought about what the difference is between poverty and abject poverty? It’s easy to assume that they are just variations of the same thing, however, the truth is that there is a significant difference between the two. Poverty is a condition where an individual lacks the basic resources necessary for a decent standard of living. On the other hand, abject poverty is a state of extreme deprivation, where individuals struggle to meet their most basic needs, such as food, shelter, and clothing.
The line between poverty and abject poverty is a fine one, but it’s crucial to understand. While poverty affects millions of people worldwide and can manifest in various forms, the distinction between ‘normal poverty’ and abject poverty lies in its severity. Individuals experiencing abject poverty are unable to afford the most basic essentials, which can have catastrophic effects on their overall health and wellbeing. Sadly, poverty is still a significant issue in our world today, with more than 700 million people living in extreme poverty globally.
It is important that we as a society continue to recognize the significant difference between poverty and abject poverty while working towards solutions that can help alleviate both. By taking action to address these issues, we can make a difference in the lives of millions of people. Through education, economic stability, and other initiatives, we can help break the cycle of poverty that affects so many and work towards a world where everyone has basic needs met.
Definitions of poverty
When it comes to defining poverty, there are various interpretations depending on the context, region, and time. However, the general definition of poverty is the state of being extremely poor, lack of basic necessities such as food, shelter, and clothing.
In 1995, the Copenhagen Declaration defined poverty as “a condition characterized by severe deprivation of basic human needs, including food, safe drinking water, sanitation facilities, health, shelter, education, and information.”
There are different types of poverty, including absolute poverty, relative poverty, and abject poverty.
Types of Poverty
- Absolute poverty: This type of poverty refers to the lack of basic necessities such as food, water, shelter, clothing, and healthcare. A person in absolute poverty struggles to meet their basic needs for survival.
- Relative poverty: This type of poverty is relative to the standard of living in a society. In this case, a person is poor because their income or resources are below the average income of their society.
- Abject poverty: This refers to the most extreme form of poverty, where individuals or families live in deplorable conditions characterized by severe deprivation of basic human needs, including food, clean water, and adequate housing. They suffer from chronic malnutrition, diseases, and lack of access to education and healthcare.
The Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI)
The multidimensional poverty index (MPI) is an alternative way of measuring poverty, which considers the various deprivations that people typically face. The MPI measures poverty across three dimensions: health, education, and standard of living. Each dimension comprises various indicators such as nutrition, child mortality, years of schooling, and access to electricity, drinking water, sanitation, and cooking fuel.
The MPI defines poverty as a person who is deprived in at least one-third of the MPI indicators. It captures the intensity, depth, and breadth of poverty, providing a more comprehensive picture of poverty and a basis for comparing poverty across different countries and regions.
| Indicator | Dimension |
|---|---|
| Nutrition | Health |
| Child Mortality | Health |
| Years of Schooling | Education |
| School Attainment | Education |
| Cooking Fuel | Standard of Living |
| Sanitation | Standard of Living |
The MPI is a useful tool for policymakers and governments to design and implement effective poverty reduction programs that target the most disadvantaged populations and address the multiple deprivations they face.
Global Poverty Rates
Over the years, the number of people living in poverty has been a concern for governments, organizations and individuals. In 2015, global leaders came together to tackle this challenge by adopting the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with the first goal being to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger by 2030. In order for this goal to be achieved, it is important to understand the current state of global poverty rates.
- As of 2018, the World Bank estimated that 8.6% of the world’s population lived in extreme poverty, which is equivalent to about 736 million people living on less than $1.90 per day.
- However, poverty rates vary significantly across regions, with the highest rates found in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. In 2018, 27.2% of the population in Sub-Saharan Africa and 12.4% in South Asia lived in extreme poverty.
- On the other hand, East Asia and the Pacific have seen a significant reduction in poverty rates over the years. In 1990, the extreme poverty rate in the region was 61.1%, while in 2018 it was 3.5%.
Projected Poverty Rates
While there has been progress in reducing global poverty rates, there is still much work to be done. According to projections by the World Bank, the COVID-19 pandemic could result in an additional 88-115 million people being pushed into extreme poverty in 2020. This is due to the impact of lockdowns, economic slowdowns and other disruptions on the livelihoods of people across the world.
It is therefore important for governments, organizations and individuals to continue to work towards eradicating poverty and creating sustainable livelihoods for all. This requires sustainable development practices, investment in education and job creation, and the provision of social safety nets for the most vulnerable populations.
Global Poverty Data
| Year | Population living in extreme poverty (millions) | Extreme poverty rate (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 1,895 | 36.2 |
| 2015 | 736 | 10.7 |
| 2018 | 736 | 8.6 |
The data above shows a significant decrease in the number of people living in extreme poverty over the years. However, there is still a long way to go to achieve the UN SDG of eradicating poverty and hunger by 2030. By investing in sustainable development and poverty reduction initiatives, we can work towards a world where everyone has access to basic needs and the opportunity to flourish.
Causes of Poverty
Poverty is a condition where individuals or families lack the basic necessities of life, including food, shelter, and clothing due to a lack of resources. Poverty can occur due to different factors such as social, economic, or political factors. In most cases, it can result from a combination of these factors.
- Unemployment: Lack of employment opportunities or low-paying jobs is a major factor that contributes to poverty. When people don’t have a decent job that can support their livelihood, they may find themselves in poverty.
- Education: Lack of education is another major factor that can lead to poverty. When people lack proper education, they may not acquire the necessary skills that can help them secure a decent job or start a business that can support their livelihood.
- Discrimination: Discrimination based on age, race, ethnicity, gender, or religion can limit opportunities for people and lead to poverty. For instance, women and minorities tend to experience discriminatory practices that limit their access to education, healthcare, and employment opportunities, thus leading to poverty.
Abject poverty, on the other hand, is a severe form of poverty whereby individuals or families can’t meet their basic human needs. They may lack access to safe drinking water, proper sanitation, food, shelter, and adequate healthcare. Abject poverty is more extreme than poverty and requires urgent intervention to alleviate the suffering of those affected.
| Causes of Abject Poverty | Impact on Communities |
|---|---|
| War and Conflict | Displacement, loss of lives, and destruction of infrastructure |
| Natural Disasters | Displacement, food shortage, loss of lives, and destruction of infrastructure |
| Disease and Epidemics | Increased mortality rates and lack of access to healthcare facilities |
Addressing poverty and abject poverty requires a comprehensive approach that tackles the root causes of these conditions. This may involve empowering people through education and providing them with skills that can help them secure decent employment. It also requires creating an enabling environment that encourages economic growth and reduces inequalities. When people have access to the basic necessities of life, they can live dignified lives and contribute to the development of their communities.
Consequences of Poverty
Poverty is a pressing global issue that affects millions of people worldwide. It is defined as a lack of income or resources to obtain the basic necessities of life, such as food, shelter, and clothing. Poverty can have a range of consequences, from physical to mental to social. Here are some of the most significant consequences of poverty:
- Poor Health: Poverty is closely associated with poor health outcomes. People living in poverty have limited access to healthcare or may not be able to afford it. As a result, they are more likely to suffer from chronic illnesses, malnutrition, and mental health issues.
- Limited Education: Children growing up in poverty are less likely to attend school or complete their education. This may be due to the cost of education or the need for children to work to contribute to the family’s income. As a result, they may have limited job opportunities in the future.
- Higher Crime Rates: Poverty increases the risk of crime and violence. People who are living in poverty are more likely to resort to criminal behavior, such as theft or robbery, to survive. Additionally, they may live in unsafe neighborhoods where crime rates are higher.
Moreover, abject poverty has even more drastic consequences on people’s lives. Abject poverty refers to extreme poverty, where people have no access to even the most basic necessities of life.
The consequences of abject poverty are:
- Increased Mortality: People living in abject poverty are more likely to die prematurely due to lack of food, clean water, and basic healthcare.
- Stunted Growth: Children living in abject poverty may suffer from stunted growth due to malnutrition, which can affect their physical and cognitive development.
- Increased Vulnerability: People in abject poverty are more vulnerable to exploitation, slavery, and human trafficking. They may be forced to work for little or no pay, and their basic human rights may be infringed upon.
It is evident that poverty, whether abject or not, has far-reaching consequences that affect individuals, families, and entire communities. Addressing poverty is critical to creating a more equitable and just society, where everyone has the opportunity to achieve their full potential.
Categories of Poverty
Understanding the different categories of poverty can help us understand the scope and severity of the issue in different parts of the world. Here are the different types of poverty:
- Relative Poverty: This type of poverty is measured in relation to the standards of living of the society in which an individual lives. This means that even if someone has access to basic necessities like food, water, and shelter, they may still be living in poverty if they cannot afford the same luxuries as those around them.
- Absolute Poverty: This type of poverty is defined by the World Bank as having less than $1.90 per day to live on. This means that individuals living in absolute poverty don’t have access to basic necessities like food, clean water, shelter, and health care.
- Generational Poverty: This type of poverty occurs when a family has been living in poverty for two generations or more. This can make it difficult for families to escape poverty as poverty can become a cycle.
- Situational Poverty: This type of poverty is temporary and can occur in response to an unexpected event such as job loss, injury, or illness. Situational poverty can affect individuals who were previously living a comfortable life and can lead to a downward spiral if not addressed quickly.
- Abject Poverty: This is the most severe form of poverty and is characterized by extreme deprivation of basic human needs such as food, water, shelter, and sanitation. Individuals living in abject poverty often lack access to education, work, and health care. They are also more vulnerable to violence, disease, and exploitation.
The Difference between Poverty and Abject Poverty
While poverty can take many forms, abject poverty is the most extreme and severe type of poverty. Living in abject poverty means not having access to basic human needs such as food, water, shelter, and sanitation. This type of poverty is often associated with extreme deprivation, malnutrition, and disease. Individuals living in abject poverty are also more likely to suffer from violence, exploitation, and human rights abuses.
It’s important to note that poverty is a complex issue that is influenced by a variety of factors including economics, politics, culture, and geography. While poverty reduction has made some progress over the last few decades, there is still much work to be done to address the issue and ensure that everyone has access to a basic standard of living.
| Criteria | Poverty | Abject Poverty |
|---|---|---|
| Income | Less than adequate income to support a basic standard of living | Severe lack of income to meet even the most basic human needs |
| Food | Adequate food may be available, but access may be limited | Lack of access to enough food to meet basic nutritional needs |
| Water & Sanitation | Access to clean water and sanitation may be limited or inadequate | Lack of access to clean water and sanitation facilities |
| Health Care | Access to basic health care may be limited or inadequate | Lack of access to even the most basic health care services |
| Education | Access to education may be limited or inadequate | Lack of access to education and illiteracy may be common |
As we can see in the above table, while poverty and abject poverty share some similarities, abject poverty is characterized by more severe and extreme deprivation of basic human needs. Addressing abject poverty requires targeted and comprehensive interventions that go beyond addressing income inequality and also address broader social, economic, and cultural factors that contribute to poverty.
Factors that Contribute to Abject Poverty
While poverty is a complex and multi-dimensional issue, abject poverty takes it to a whole new level and is characterized by extreme deprivation of basic human needs such as food, shelter, and sanitation. Here are some of the factors that contribute to abject poverty:
- Limited Access to Education: Lack of education and the skills it provides is one of the primary factors that contribute to abject poverty. Without education, individuals are less likely to secure well-paying jobs that can provide a sustainable livelihood for them and their families. This, in turn, creates a cycle of poverty where children are forced to drop out of school to support their families and are unable to break free from the poverty trap.
- Inadequate Healthcare: Poor health is another factor that contributes to abject poverty. Individuals living in abject poverty are often malnourished and are exposed to a host of diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV/AIDS. With limited access to healthcare, it becomes difficult for them to receive the necessary treatment and medication to recover from these illnesses.
- Limited Access to Clean Water and Sanitation: Access to clean water and sanitation are basic human needs that are often taken for granted. However, this is not the case for individuals living in abject poverty. They often lack access to clean water sources and have to rely on contaminated water to drink and bathe. This increases their risk of contracting water-borne illnesses and diseases such as cholera and dysentery, further perpetuating the cycle of poverty.
- Unstable Political and Economic Systems: Political instability and corruption often contribute to abject poverty. In countries with corrupt governments, resources meant to serve the public, such as healthcare, education, and sanitation, are often misappropriated and allocated to serve the interests of a select few. This creates an environment where the poor are left to fend for themselves.
The Poverty Line
The World Bank set the poverty line at $1.90 a day in 2015. This means that individuals living on less than $1.90 a day are considered to be living in extreme poverty. While the poverty line differs between countries, it provides a benchmark for organizations to measure and track poverty levels globally.
The Role of Government and Non-Governmental Organizations
The fight against abject poverty requires a concerted effort from governments, non-governmental organizations, and individuals alike. Government policies aimed at providing access to education, healthcare, and clean water are critical in breaking the cycle of poverty. Non-governmental organizations play a vital role in providing aid and support to individuals living in abject poverty, focusing on areas such as food security, microfinance, and education.
| Country | Population Living in Extreme Poverty (%) | Population Living Below the Poverty Line (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Nigeria | 40.2% | 69% |
| Bangladesh | 12.9% | 24.3% |
| India | 9.7% | 21.2% |
| Pakistan | 4.2% | 24.3% |
Globally, the fight against abject poverty requires a comprehensive approach that seeks to address the structural issues that cause poverty while providing immediate relief to those in need. By addressing the root causes of poverty, it becomes possible to break the cycle of poverty and create a world where everyone has access to basic human needs.
Ways to Alleviate Poverty
One of the most pressing issues in our world today is poverty. However, poverty does not simply mean lacking material possessions or money. There is a difference between poverty and abject poverty, which is characterized by severe deprivation of basic human needs such as food, water, sanitation, healthcare, and shelter. To help reduce poverty, we need to understand its root causes and work towards alleviating it. Below are some ways to alleviate poverty:
- Educate and skill up: Education and skills training are crucial in helping people gain the necessary tools to lift themselves out of poverty. This includes both formal education as well as vocational and technical training that can help people acquire the skills needed to secure better paying jobs or start their own businesses.
- Provide access to capital: Access to capital is an important component of poverty alleviation efforts. Microfinance and other financial services can provide people with the resources they need to start or expand their own businesses.
- Invest in infrastructure: Investing in infrastructure can help create jobs, stimulate economic growth, and improve access to basic amenities such as clean water and electricity. Infrastructure investments can also help make transportation more efficient, lowering the cost of goods and services and increasing economic activity.
Another important way to alleviate poverty is through the provision of social services. This includes healthcare, housing, and nutrition programs.
For example, a study by Clark et al. (2012) found that providing housing subsidies to low-income households reduced food insecurity and improved health outcomes. Similarly, programs that provide access to education, healthcare, and nutrition have been found to improve child development and reduce poverty rates in the long-term.
| Program | Objective | Impact on Poverty |
|---|---|---|
| Conditional Cash Transfers (CCTs) | To provide financial assistance to poor households, conditional on certain behaviors such as school attendance or healthcare check-ups. | Reduces poverty rates in the short- to medium-term, improves child health and development. |
| Food Assistance Programs | To provide food assistance to low-income households. | Reduces food insecurity, improves health outcomes. |
| Education Programs | To provide access to education for low-income individuals. | Improves long-term prospects for individuals and reduces poverty rates in the long-term. |
| Healthcare Programs | To provide access to healthcare for low-income individuals. | Improves health outcomes and reduces poverty rates in the long-term. |
Ultimately, reducing poverty requires a multi-faceted approach that involves both government and private sector efforts. By investing in education, infrastructure, social services, and access to capital, we can help individuals and families lift themselves out of poverty and lead healthier, happier lives.
FAQs: What is the Difference Between Poverty and Abject Poverty?
1. What is poverty?
Poverty is a term that describes a lack of material possessions or income that are necessary for a person or community to enjoy a basic standard of living. In general, when people speak of poverty, they are referring to a situation in which people lack adequate food, clothing, shelter, and sanitation.
2. What is abject poverty?
Abject poverty is a more severe form of poverty, in which people are unable to meet even their most basic needs. In general, people who live in abject poverty lack not only food, clothing, and shelter, but also access to clean water, medical care, education, and other essential services.
3. What are some examples of poverty and abject poverty?
Examples of poverty might include people who live in slums or shantytowns in developing countries, or people in the developed world who struggle to meet their basic living expenses. Examples of abject poverty might include people who are homeless, or people in developing countries who lack even the most basic infrastructure to support their daily needs.
4. What are the causes of poverty and abject poverty?
The causes of poverty are many and varied, and can include factors such as lack of education, inadequate infrastructure or economic development, political instability or conflict, and individual factors such as health problems or disability. Abject poverty is generally caused by more severe or persistent versions of these factors, or by external shocks like natural disasters or economic crises.
5. What can be done to address poverty and abject poverty?
Addressing poverty and abject poverty requires a range of interventions and approaches that depend on the specific situation and context. Common solutions might include investing in education and economic development, implementing policies to reduce inequality and improve access to essential services, and providing direct aid and support to individuals and communities in need.
Closing Thoughts: Thanks for Reading!
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