What is the definition of poverty?

A rickshaw driver in front of his hut


According to the Indian Government Planning commission:

In 2007 there were 170.5 million rural poor and 49.6 million urban poor.

This means that 21% of rural population, 15.1% of the urban population and 19.3% of population were poor.

In sum, of a total of 1.1 billion population, 220 million were below poverty line.


Definition of below poverty line:

The World Bank's definition of the poverty line, for under developed countries, like India, is US$1 /day/person or US $365 per year.

As per this definition, more than 75% of all Indians are, probably, below the poverty line!

As per the Government of India, poverty line for the urban areas is Rs.296 per month and for rural areas Rs. 276 per month, i.e. people in India who earn less than Rs. 10 per day. As per GOI, this amount will buy food equivalent to 2200 calories per day, medically enough, to prevent death. At this level of earning, even in a poor country like India, survival on Rs. 10 per day is a nightmare! This actually translates to Rs. 3650 per year or US $75 per year.

Source: http://www.wakeupcall.org/administration_in_india/poverty_line.php

As you can see, the government statistics of 220 million below poverty line, actually means 200 million desperately poor people living on the verge of absolute poverty (ie. suffering from hunger and malnutrition). This says nothing of what it is like for people who have enough to eat but nothing to spare for medical care or for the other needs of their children.