Poverty is generally considered as a situation in which the underprivileged do
not have adequate food and shelter, lack access to education and health services,
are exposed to violence, and find themselves in a state of unemployment,
vulnerability and powerlessness.
Poverty is multi-dimensional and has to be looked at through a variety of
indicators such as levels of income and consumption, social indicators and indicators
of vulnerability to risks and socio-political access and participation. The most
common approach to the measurement of poverty is based on incomes or
consumption levels. It is widely understood that an individual is considered poor if
consumption or income level falls below some minimum level necessary to meet
basic needs i.e. poverty line. The nature and level of basic need satisfaction varies
along with time and societies and the poverty line to be established should be
appropriate to the level of development, societal norms and values (World Bank
Poverty Net).