Author
Home > Sociology > What is the Difference Between Poor and Poverty and Scarcity?

Guilherme Mazui

•3 minutes to read

What is the Difference Between Poor and Poverty and Scarcity?

🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚

The terms "poor," "poverty," and "scarcity" are related but distinct concepts. Here are the key differences between them:

  • Poor: A person is considered poor when they earn an income that does not fully cover all their necessities, such as food, clothing, shelter, and other basic needs.
  • Poverty: Poverty refers to a situation where a person's income is significantly lower than the general standards of living, putting them in survival mode as they struggle to secure the basic necessities of food, water, clothing, and shelter. Poverty can be defined as objective absolute poverty (having less than a defined minimum income), objective relative poverty (having a relatively low income compared to others in the same society), or subjective poverty (feeling or perceiving that one does not have enough to get along).
  • Scarcity: Scarcity refers to the shortage of resources available in the economy, arising from the insufficiency of resources to satisfy people's wants. It is a condition faced by both rich and poor people and is the result of unlimited human wants and limited resources to fulfill them. Scarcity is not a problem that can be solved, but it is a condition that people can address in a rational manner to improve their lives by making choices.

In summary, being poor refers to a person's inability to afford all their necessities, while poverty is a more severe condition where a person struggles to secure even the basic necessities. Scarcity, on the other hand, is a broader concept that refers to the limited resources available to satisfy people's wants, regardless of their income level.

On this page
  • What is the Difference Between Poor and Poverty and Scarcity?
  • Comparative Table: Poor vs Poverty vs Scarcity

    • Comparative Table: Poor vs Poverty vs Scarcity

    Here is a table outlining the differences between being poor, poverty, and scarcity:

    Term Definition Description
    Poor A person who earns an income that does not fully cover all their necessities. Unhappy and unsatisfied due to unmet needs, cannot afford all necessities.
    Poverty A situation where a person's income is much lower than what is accepted as general standards of living. In survival mode, trying to secure basic necessities of food, water, clothing, and shelter.
    Scarcity A situation in which resources or products are limited in supply and are not available in sufficient quantities. Need to make a choice between alternative products or resources.

    In summary, poor refers to a person who cannot afford all their necessities, poverty refers to a situation where a person's income is much lower than what is accepted as general standards of living, and scarcity refers to a situation in which resources or products are limited in supply and are not available in sufficient quantities.

    Read more:

    Guilherme Mazui

    Guilherme Mazui is graduated in journalism from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) and a master's degree in Communication from the University of São Paulo (USP). In addition, he has experience in advertising writing and has worked as a content editor in several companies.