privation

Privation is the state of lacking basic goods, services, or rights that are typically considered essential for a minimally adequate standard of living. It covers material deprivation, such as insufficient food, shelter, clothing, and healthcare, as well as non-material forms like limited education, social participation, autonomy, and security. In philosophy, economics, and sociology, privation denotes a lack that can be physical, social, or existential.

There are two common distinctions used in social science. Absolute deprivation refers to the absence of fundamental necessities required for physical survival, while relative deprivation involves a shortfall compared with others within the same society or reference group. Researchers assess deprivation using indicators such as income poverty, multidimensional poverty indices, and material deprivation measures that capture the inability to afford essential goods or services.

Causes of privation include poverty, unemployment, disability, conflict, natural disasters, discrimination, and social exclusion. Its consequences can be wide-ranging, affecting health, educational attainment, cognitive development, and the ability to participate in social and political life, thereby reinforcing cycles of disadvantage.

Policy responses aim to reduce privation through social protection programs, access to healthcare and housing, education and skill development, and opportunities for meaningful employment. In moral philosophy, privation is sometimes discussed as the absence or negation of a good, rather than a positive substance, influencing debates about the nature of harm and moral responsibility.