What is the Difference Between Ghetto and Slum?

The main difference between a ghetto and a slum lies in the characteristics of the people living there and the conditions they face.

• Ghetto: A ghetto is an area where a group of people with the same religion, nationality, or similar backgrounds live alongside one another. The people in ghettos are mostly poor, and the area is often characterized by overcrowding and a high crime rate. Historically, ghettos were created to segregate certain groups, such as immigrants, Jews, or black people, who were not allowed to live elsewhere.
• Slum: A slum is a squalid and overcrowded area inhabited by very poor people, regardless of their religion or nationality. Slums are characterized by extreme poverty, filth, and dirt, with people from different religions and communities living alongside one another. The housing conditions in slums are often substandard and run-down, with minimal access to resources and infrastructure.

While both ghettos and slums refer to poverty-stricken areas, a ghetto specifically refers to an area with a concentrated population of a particular group, whereas a slum refers to the living conditions and environment of the area.

Comparative Table: Ghetto vs Slum

Here is a table comparing the difference between a ghetto and a slum:

Both ghettos and slums share common characteristics such as some degree of poverty, comparatively higher crime rates, decrepit housing, and lack of proper infrastructure. However, the main distinction between the two is the composition of the population living in these areas. Ghettos are typically characterized by the concentration of a specific ethnic or racial group, while slums are inhabited by people of different nationalities, religions, or races living alongside one another.