Poverty Line

3.4 Poverty Line

Description

Quick Overview

The poverty line serves as a crucial measure to identify individuals living in poverty based on income and consumption.

Standard

This section discusses the poverty line's definition, measurement, and its variations across different regions and times. It highlights how the poverty line is determined in India, illustrating its importance in understanding and addressing poverty.

Detailed

Poverty Line

The concept of the poverty line is vital in assessing the economic well-being of individuals. It categorizes people as poor if their income or consumption levels fall below a minimum threshold necessary for meeting essential needs. This threshold, however, is variable and depends on various contextual factors such as time and place. In India, the poverty line is determined using specific criteria that account for the minimum levels of food, clothing, shelter, education, and medical need. As of 2011-12, the poverty line was set at Rs 816 per month for rural areas and Rs 1000 per month for urban regions, reflecting the distinct socio-economic realities of different living environments.

This section emphasizes that poverty is a multifaceted issue influenced by various socio-economic dynamics, and understanding the poverty line's implications can guide poverty alleviation efforts effectively.

Key Concepts

  • Poverty Line: The minimum income level necessary for basic living needs.

  • Calorie Requirement: Average daily calories needed to sustain a healthy lifestyle.

  • Social Norms: The societal expectations and standards that influence perceptions of poverty.

  • Vulnerability: Increased risk of poverty among specific groups due to various factors.

Memory Aids

🎵 Rhymes Time

  • To stay alive, with needs in sight, the poverty line must be just right.

📖 Fascinating Stories

  • In a small village, a family of four struggles to stay above the poverty line, with each meal planned carefully to save for tomorrow's bread.

🧠 Other Memory Gems

  • P-L-A-N: Poverty Line for Analysis of Necessities.

🎯 Super Acronyms

B A S E

  • Basic needs
  • Area-dependent
  • Set periodically
  • Essential for measurement.

Examples

  • In India, the poverty line was set at Rs 816 per month for rural areas in 2011-12, reflecting the minimum expenses needed for basic sustenance.

  • The global poverty line established by the World Bank is currently at $1.90 per day, illustrating international differences in poverty measurements.

Glossary of Terms

  • Term: Poverty Line

    Definition:

    An established income or consumption level below which an individual or household is considered poor.

  • Term: Calorie Requirement

    Definition:

    The minimum average daily calorie intake necessary for adequate nutritional health.

  • Term: Social Norms

    Definition:

    Common standards of acceptable behavior and beliefs within a society.

  • Term: Vulnerability

    Definition:

    The increased likelihood of certain groups becoming or remaining poor due to social, economic, or environmental factors.