poor

Poor is an adjective used to describe a condition in which individuals or households lack sufficient resources to meet basic needs, such as food, shelter, clothing, and healthcare. It can also describe low quality or inferiority in things like services or products. When referring to people, the term has historically been used as a noun, as in “the poor,” but many writers and organizations prefer phrasing that centers people’s experiences, such as “people living in poverty.”

Etymology traces the word to Old English poer, from Latin pauper via Old French povre, reflecting longstanding similarity across languages in describing scarcity. The term is deeply embedded in social and economic history and can carry different connotations depending on context and culture.

In economics and public policy, poverty is measured with thresholds that separate those with insufficient resources from others. Absolute poverty relies on a minimum standard of living, while relative poverty compares income or resources to a society’s median level. Multidimensional measures consider factors beyond income, such as health, education, and living standards. Poverty rates and indices vary by country, region, and time, influenced by policy, economic conditions, and demographics.

Causes of poverty are complex and multifaceted, including unemployment or low wages, inadequate education, health issues, housing costs, discrimination, and economic shocks. Consequences often span health disparities, reduced life chances, limited access to services, and social exclusion, reinforcing cycles of disadvantage.

Policy responses seek to reduce poverty through social protection, cash transfers, subsidized housing and healthcare, access to education, and fair labor standards. Language choice matters: many prefer “people living in poverty” to minimize stigma and emphasize dignity and agency.