Poverty has many dimensions. Normally, this is measured through the concept of poverty line. A common method used to measure poverty is based on the income or consumption levels. Through this concept we analysed main global and national trends in poverty.
The proportion of people below poverty line is not the same for all social groups and economic categories in India. The social groups of scheduled castes and scheduled tribes, and the economic groups of rural agricultural labourers and urban casual labourers are the ones most vulnerable to poverty.
In recent years, analysis of poverty is becoming rich through a variety of new concepts like social exclusion. Similarly, the challenge is becoming bigger as scholars are broadening the concept into human poverty.
Human poverty refers to the denial of political, social and economic opportunities to an individual to maintain a reasonable standard of living. Illiteracy, lack of job opportunities, lack of access to proper healthcare and sanitation, caste and gender discrimination, are all responsible for human poverty.
Causes of Poverty in India
- Low level of economic development under the British colonial administration
- Huge income inequalities
- Other socio-cultural and economic factors