Kansarme

Kansarme is a Dutch term that translates to "poverty line" or "poverty threshold" in English. It refers to the minimum level of income deemed necessary to meet basic living standards, including essentials such as food, shelter, clothing, and healthcare. The concept of kansarme is used primarily in social policy and poverty studies to identify individuals or households that are considered to be living in poverty.

The determination of the kansarme varies between countries and is influenced by various factors such as cost of living, economic conditions, and social policy objectives. In the Netherlands, for example, the government periodically assesses the socioeconomic data to establish the income level below which people are classified as being at risk of social exclusion or in poverty.

Being classified as kansarme often qualifies individuals for social assistance or welfare benefits aimed at alleviating poverty and promoting social inclusion. These measures can include housing subsidies, healthcare support, and income supplements. The goal of defining and measuring kansarme is to inform policymakers and promote targeted interventions to reduce poverty and improve living standards.

Critics of the concept argue that income-based thresholds may not fully capture the complexity of poverty, which can also include factors such as social isolation, lack of access to services, and overall quality of life. Despite this, the kansarme remains an important tool within social welfare frameworks in the Netherlands and other countries that utilize similar concepts to address economic hardship among their populations.