Poverty

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Poverty

The state of being extremely poor

Types of Poverty

Absolute Poverty - Where a person does not have the minimum amount of income needed to meet the minimum requirements for one of more basic living needs over an extended period of time

Relative Poverty - Where a household's income is below a specified proportion of the average income for all households in the country

Causes of Poverty

Regional causes - geographical isolation, few available resources, low rainfall, high transport costs, weak communications or infrastructure and underdeveloped markets

Household/Individual causes - low average age in household, large households, women as household head, domestic violence, low participation in the labour force

Community causes - lack of infrastructure, paved roads, electricity, large markets, schools, medical clinics, access to employment

Social causes - poor health, lack of education, poor shelter

The Borgen Project

1. Malnutrition

2. Health

3. Education

4. Economy

5. Society

Government Policies to Alleviate Poverty

Increasing GDP per capita

Trickle-Down effect