Poverty is a multidimensional and unstable concept, characterized by its shifting definitions. Over the years, many development and government actors have defined poverty according to their own perspectives. Consequently, the concept is described in ways that vary widely depending on the actor presenting the definition. An investigation into 159 definitions of poverty spanning three decades (1970s–2000s) revealed that authors often use different central terms to describe the same status. Ultimately, how poverty is perceived and understood directly informs the policies and approaches designed to mitigate it.
To define poverty solely as a lack of food, a paycheck, or income is to ascribe a narrow meaning to an evolving and complex phenomenon. In a broad sense, poverty is a structural issue that affects everyone—from those with high econometric scores to those experiencing “bare-body” poverty. When viewed through a multidimensional lens, poverty encompasses the various areas in which individuals and communities experience deprivation. Among these is economic and material poverty, typically measured through metrics such as income, healthcare access, housing, and availability of safe water.
Multidimensional poverty indices measure aspects including economic, health, social, political, and environmental quality. However, these metrics are often relative: a household in Europe that can afford to keep a house pet may be considered “richer” than a household in Africa that struggles to secure a daily meal. Beyond these indices, individuals reinterpret these concepts based on their lived experiences and backgrounds, which creates a parallel discourse. For instance, when the wife of Nigeria’s president recently stirred controversy by suggesting that vulnerable citizens should turn to street vending, her proposed solution was a direct reflection of her personal understanding and definition of poverty. Similarly, another perspective is captured by the sentiment: “I will pay any amount to make sure I am not close to a poor person [because] there is a divine reason [they are] born into poverty.”
The mental image of poverty held by those in power inevitably influences the language used to define it. By analyzing multidimensional indicators, one can see that a person may not be “poor” by traditional income standards but may still live in extreme poverty due to a lack of access to basic social services. In an increasingly interconnected world, the deprivation of opportunities and essential livelihood services constitutes a form of collective poverty.
Written By: Byke Freeborn| X/Twitter: @bykefreeborn