What is Poverty? What are the causes of poverty?

• Poverty refers to the condition of not having the means to afford basic human needs such as clean water, nutrition, healthcare, clothing and shelter. 
• Poverty is the condition of having fewer resources or less income than others within a society or country or compared to worldwide averages. 
• Poverty is denial of choices and opportunities, a violation of human dignity. It means lack of basic capacity to participate effectively in society. 
• It means insecurity, powerlessness etc. 
• It means susceptibility to violence.

Types of Poverty

1. Absolute – severe deprivation
2. Relative – contextual definition – economic inequality in a region or society.

Causes of Poverty

• Lack of education
• Large scale import
• Division of agricultural land
• Moral culture – unfair practices to earn money
• Govt policies
• Corruption
• Privatization
• Overpopulation
• Unemployment
• Law and order
• Increase in utility charges
• Inflation
• Imposition of tax
• Non-productive expenditures
• Low living standard
• Landlordism
• Nepotism
• Backward infrastructure
• Low rate of capital formation

Effects of Poverty

• Child labour
• Crimes and violence
• Health problems
• Homelessness
• Shorter life
• Hunger
• Antisocial behaviour