Poverty and Human Development

Question 1

Poverty

Answer 1

Poverty: A state of lacking basic human needs or the usual or socially acceptable amount of money or material possessions.

Question 2

Absolute Poverty

Answer 2

Absolute Poverty: A condition characterized by severe deprivation of basic human needs, including food, safe drinking water, sanitation facilities, health, shelter, education, and information. It depends not only on income but also on access to services.

Question 3

Extreme Poverty

Answer 3

Extreme Poverty: Defined by the World Bank as living on less than $1.90 per day (adjusted for purchasing power parity), reflecting a severe lack of resources for basic survival.

Question 4

Relative Poverty

Answer 4

Relative Poverty: A condition in which a person lacks the minimum amount of income needed to maintain the average standard of living in the society in which they live. It is a measure of inequality.

Question 5

Human Development

Answer 5

Human Development: A process of enlarging people’s freedoms and opportunities and improving their well-being. It is about much more than just economic growth and includes factors like health, education, and living standards.

Question 6

Basic Needs

Answer 6

Basic Needs: The fundamental resources required for human survival and well-being, typically including food, water, shelter, sanitation, education, and healthcare.

Question 7

Global Inequality

Answer 7

Global Inequality: The unequal distribution of income, wealth, and opportunities across the world’s population.

Question 8

Standard of living

Answer 8

Standard of Living: The degree of wealth and material comfort available to a person or community

Question 9

Global Trends in Extreme Poverty

Answer 9

Global Trends in Extreme Poverty: The world has witnessed a “significant decrease in the number of people living in extreme poverty” in recent times. However, this decrease has not occurred at the same rate across all regions. The source prompts discussion on why certain regions, like East Asia, experienced significant reductions while others, like Sub-Saharan Africa, did not.