IB Global Politics Poverty Key Definitions

Absolute poverty refers to a condition where people do not have enough resources to secure the basic essentials for survival, including food, safe water, shelter, and healthcare. It is measured against a fixed threshold such as the World Bank’s $3.00 per day standard.

Multidimensional poverty refers to poverty that goes beyond just income levels, capturing multiple deprivations people face in their daily lives. It includes limited access to education, healthcare, clean water and sanitation, housing, and basic living standards.

Relative poverty describes a situation where people possess fewer resources than the average in their society, which restricts their ability to take part fully in normal social and economic activities. It highlights inequality within a specific context rather than survival itself.