2.4.4

Absolute & Relative Poverty

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Poverty

The income needed for a basic standard of living is measured by the poverty line. Poverty is the measure of the number of people who fall below this poverty line.

Relative poverty

Relative poverty

Relative poverty happens when your income is low relative to the rest of society.
It's often measured as less than 60% of the median income of a country.

Absolute poverty

Absolute poverty

Absolute poverty happens when someone can't afford the basic human needs (like food, water and shelter).

Causes of poverty

Causes of poverty

Low income.
Low wealth.
Being unemployed and not having useful skills to become employed.
- The hysteresis effect is when previous unemployment affects future employment. For example, when someone is unemployed for a long time following a recession and loses their skills, they become less employable and may be less motivated.
Wages rising more quickly than state benefits (the incomes of those who depend on benefits will decrease over time).

The poverty trap

The poverty trap

This happens when there is no net gain from working.
- E.g imagine a system where whatever the poor earn in income, they lose in government assistance.
- For every £100 they earn, they lose £100 in government support.
- The net gain to work here is zero, and so there is a poverty trap.

The Effects of Poverty

Poverty has a negative impact on society. But not all the effects are bad for the economy.

Benefits of poverty

Benefits of poverty

Poverty can encourage people to work so that they can improve their income and escape poverty.
- This can reduce absolute poverty long term. Higher inequality will mean that those at the top do well financially.
- This effect will trickle down through higher levels of employment to the poorest in society. They will be more able to rise out of poverty.
- But relative poverty will rise. The rich gain more proportionately than those receiving the trickle-down effect. So, relative poverty will rise.

Negatives of poverty

Negatives of poverty

Poverty will increase the level of crime.
Some people may have the entrepreneurial talent and drive to start a company that could benefit society, but lack the resources.
- This is a waste of resources (labour is an input for many businesses and factor of production) and is bad for society.

1

Microeconomics

1.1

Competitive Markets: Demand & Suply

1.1.1Markets & Demand 1.1.2Diminishing Marginal Returns 1.1.3Supply 1.1.4Market Equilibrium 1.1.5Price Mechanism 1.1.6Consumer & Producer Surplus 1.1.7IB Multiple Choice - Demand 1.1.8IB Multiple Choice - Supply

1.2

Elasticity

1.2.1Elasticities of Demand 1.2.2Factors Affecting Price Elasticity of Demand 1.2.3Elasticity of Supply 1.2.4Price Elasticity of Supply 1.2.5IB Multiple Choice - Price Elasticity of Demand 1.2.6IB Multiple Choice - Price Elasticity of Supply 1.2.7IB Multiple Choice - Other Elasticities

1.3

Government Intervention

1.3.1Indirect Taxes & Subsidies 1.3.2Application Question - Taxing Prices or Quantities 1.3.3Subsidies & Price Controls 1.3.4Deadweight Loss & Government Intervention 1.3.5Elasticity & Tax Incidence 1.3.6IB Multiple Choice - Government Intervention

1.4

Market Failure

1.4.1Types of Market Failure 1.4.2Introduction to Externalities 1.4.3Negative Externalities 1.4.4Policy for Negative Externalities 1.4.5Positive Externalities 1.4.6The Deadweight Welfare Loss of Externalities 1.4.7Case Study - The Externalities of Education 1.4.8Public Goods & the Free-Rider Problem 1.4.9Asymmetric Information 1.4.10End of Topic Test - Market Failure 1.4.11Application Questions - Market Failure

1.5

HL: Theory of the Firm & Market Structures

1.5.1Theory of the Firm & Market Structures

2

Macroeconomics

2.1

The Level of Overall Economic Activity

2.1.1The Circular Flow of Income 2.1.2Defining GDP 2.1.3Limitations of GDP 2.1.4IB Multiple Choice - Economic Indicators 2.1.5Business Cycles 2.1.6Output Gaps

2.2

Aggregate Demand & Aggregate Supply

2.2.1The Aggregate Demand Curve 2.2.2Components of Aggregate Demand 2.2.3Shape of the Aggregate Demand Curve 2.2.4Shifts in Aggregate Demand 2.2.5IB Multiple Choice - Aggregate Demand 2.2.6Short & Long-Run Aggregate Supply 2.2.7Alternative Models of LRAS 2.2.8Equilibrium in the AD-AS Model 2.2.9Output Gaps & the AD-AS Model

2.3

Macroeconomic Objectives

2.3.1Introduction to Unemployment 2.3.2Limitations of Unemployment 2.3.3Types of Unemployment 2.3.4Causes & Impact of Unemployment 2.3.5Defining Inflation 2.3.6Measuring Inflation 2.3.7Use of Index Numbers 2.3.8The Consumer Price Index 2.3.9Consequences of Inflation 2.3.10Causes of Inflation 2.3.11Inflation & Unemployment Tradeoff 2.3.12The Short-Run Phillips Curve 2.3.13The Long-Run Phillips Curve

2.4

Economic Growth, Poverty & Inequality

2.4.1Measuring Economic Growth 2.4.2Determinants of Productivity 2.4.3Economic Growth & Productivity 2.4.4Absolute & Relative Poverty 2.4.5Inequality 2.4.6Inequality 2 2.4.7Lorenz Curve 2.4.8Government Policy on Poverty 2.4.9End of Topic Test - Poverty & Inequality 2.4.10Application - Inequality & Poverty

2.5

Fiscal Policy

2.5.1Introduction to Fiscal Policy 2.5.2Fiscal Policy and AD-AS Model 2.5.3Fiscal Policy Lags 2.5.4Automatic Stabilizers 2.5.5IB Multiple Choice - Fiscal Policy

2.6

Monetary Policy

2.6.1Objectives of Monetary Policy 2.6.2Monetary Policy Implementation 2.6.3Monetary Policy & AD-AS Model 2.6.4Monetary Policy Lags & Pitfalls

2.7

Supply-Side Policies

2.7.1Supply-Side Policies 2.7.2Supply-Side Policies 2

3

The Global Economy

3.1

International Trade

3.1.1Globalisation 3.1.2Globalisation for LEDCs 3.1.3Globalisation for MEDCs 3.1.4Comparative Advantage & Trade 3.1.5Protectionism 3.1.6Arguments for Protectionism 3.1.7Arguments Against Protectionism 3.1.8End of Topic Test - Globalisation & Trade 3.1.9Case Study - Globalisation & Trade

3.2

Exchange Rates

3.2.1Floating Exchange Rates 3.2.2Fixed Exchange Rate 3.2.3Effect of a Stronger & Weaker Dollar

3.3

The Balance of Payments

3.3.1Balance of Payments 3.3.2Balance of Payments 2 3.3.3FDI & Reducing a BoP Deficit

3.4

Economic Integration

3.4.1Customs Unions & WTO 3.4.2Merged Currency

3.5

Terms of Trade

3.5.1Absolute & Comparative Advantage 3.5.2Gains from Trade 3.5.3Terms of Trade 3.5.4IB Multiple Choice - Comparative Advantage & Trade

3.6

Economic Development

3.6.1Factors Influencing Growth & Development 3.6.2International Institutions 3.6.3Measures of Development 3.6.4Barriers to Development 3.6.5Case Study - The Bottom Billion 3.6.6End of Topic Test - Emerging & Developing

3.7

The Role of Domestic & International Factors

3.7.1Interventionist Strategies 3.7.2Development Strategies 3.7.3Development Promotion Policies 3.7.4End of Topic Test - Growth & Global Development 3.7.5Application Questions -Growth & Global Development

3.8

The Role of International Trade

3.8.1International Institutions 3.8.2End of Topic Test - Globalisation & Trade

3.9

The Role of Foreign Aid

3.9.1Aid 3.9.2Limitations of Aid 3.9.3Support for Aid 3.9.4Application Questions - Developing Countries

Jump to other topics

1

Microeconomics

1.1

Competitive Markets: Demand & Suply

1.1.1Markets & Demand 1.1.2Diminishing Marginal Returns 1.1.3Supply 1.1.4Market Equilibrium 1.1.5Price Mechanism 1.1.6Consumer & Producer Surplus 1.1.7IB Multiple Choice - Demand 1.1.8IB Multiple Choice - Supply

1.2

Elasticity

1.2.1Elasticities of Demand 1.2.2Factors Affecting Price Elasticity of Demand 1.2.3Elasticity of Supply 1.2.4Price Elasticity of Supply 1.2.5IB Multiple Choice - Price Elasticity of Demand 1.2.6IB Multiple Choice - Price Elasticity of Supply 1.2.7IB Multiple Choice - Other Elasticities

1.3

Government Intervention

1.3.1Indirect Taxes & Subsidies 1.3.2Application Question - Taxing Prices or Quantities 1.3.3Subsidies & Price Controls 1.3.4Deadweight Loss & Government Intervention 1.3.5Elasticity & Tax Incidence 1.3.6IB Multiple Choice - Government Intervention

1.4

Market Failure

1.4.1Types of Market Failure 1.4.2Introduction to Externalities 1.4.3Negative Externalities 1.4.4Policy for Negative Externalities 1.4.5Positive Externalities 1.4.6The Deadweight Welfare Loss of Externalities 1.4.7Case Study - The Externalities of Education 1.4.8Public Goods & the Free-Rider Problem 1.4.9Asymmetric Information 1.4.10End of Topic Test - Market Failure 1.4.11Application Questions - Market Failure

1.5

HL: Theory of the Firm & Market Structures

1.5.1Theory of the Firm & Market Structures

2

Macroeconomics

2.1

The Level of Overall Economic Activity

2.1.1The Circular Flow of Income 2.1.2Defining GDP 2.1.3Limitations of GDP 2.1.4IB Multiple Choice - Economic Indicators 2.1.5Business Cycles 2.1.6Output Gaps

2.2

Aggregate Demand & Aggregate Supply

2.2.1The Aggregate Demand Curve 2.2.2Components of Aggregate Demand 2.2.3Shape of the Aggregate Demand Curve 2.2.4Shifts in Aggregate Demand 2.2.5IB Multiple Choice - Aggregate Demand 2.2.6Short & Long-Run Aggregate Supply 2.2.7Alternative Models of LRAS 2.2.8Equilibrium in the AD-AS Model 2.2.9Output Gaps & the AD-AS Model

2.3

Macroeconomic Objectives

2.3.1Introduction to Unemployment 2.3.2Limitations of Unemployment 2.3.3Types of Unemployment 2.3.4Causes & Impact of Unemployment 2.3.5Defining Inflation 2.3.6Measuring Inflation 2.3.7Use of Index Numbers 2.3.8The Consumer Price Index 2.3.9Consequences of Inflation 2.3.10Causes of Inflation 2.3.11Inflation & Unemployment Tradeoff 2.3.12The Short-Run Phillips Curve 2.3.13The Long-Run Phillips Curve

2.4

Economic Growth, Poverty & Inequality

2.4.1Measuring Economic Growth 2.4.2Determinants of Productivity 2.4.3Economic Growth & Productivity 2.4.4Absolute & Relative Poverty 2.4.5Inequality 2.4.6Inequality 2 2.4.7Lorenz Curve 2.4.8Government Policy on Poverty 2.4.9End of Topic Test - Poverty & Inequality 2.4.10Application - Inequality & Poverty

2.5

Fiscal Policy

2.5.1Introduction to Fiscal Policy 2.5.2Fiscal Policy and AD-AS Model 2.5.3Fiscal Policy Lags 2.5.4Automatic Stabilizers 2.5.5IB Multiple Choice - Fiscal Policy

2.6

Monetary Policy

2.6.1Objectives of Monetary Policy 2.6.2Monetary Policy Implementation 2.6.3Monetary Policy & AD-AS Model 2.6.4Monetary Policy Lags & Pitfalls

2.7

Supply-Side Policies

2.7.1Supply-Side Policies 2.7.2Supply-Side Policies 2

3

The Global Economy

3.1

International Trade

3.1.1Globalisation 3.1.2Globalisation for LEDCs 3.1.3Globalisation for MEDCs 3.1.4Comparative Advantage & Trade 3.1.5Protectionism 3.1.6Arguments for Protectionism 3.1.7Arguments Against Protectionism 3.1.8End of Topic Test - Globalisation & Trade 3.1.9Case Study - Globalisation & Trade

3.2

Exchange Rates

3.2.1Floating Exchange Rates 3.2.2Fixed Exchange Rate 3.2.3Effect of a Stronger & Weaker Dollar

3.3

The Balance of Payments

3.3.1Balance of Payments 3.3.2Balance of Payments 2 3.3.3FDI & Reducing a BoP Deficit

3.4

Economic Integration

3.4.1Customs Unions & WTO 3.4.2Merged Currency

3.5

Terms of Trade

3.5.1Absolute & Comparative Advantage 3.5.2Gains from Trade 3.5.3Terms of Trade 3.5.4IB Multiple Choice - Comparative Advantage & Trade

3.6

Economic Development

3.6.1Factors Influencing Growth & Development 3.6.2International Institutions 3.6.3Measures of Development 3.6.4Barriers to Development 3.6.5Case Study - The Bottom Billion 3.6.6End of Topic Test - Emerging & Developing

3.7

The Role of Domestic & International Factors

3.7.1Interventionist Strategies 3.7.2Development Strategies 3.7.3Development Promotion Policies 3.7.4End of Topic Test - Growth & Global Development 3.7.5Application Questions -Growth & Global Development

3.8

The Role of International Trade

3.8.1International Institutions 3.8.2End of Topic Test - Globalisation & Trade

3.9

The Role of Foreign Aid

3.9.1Aid 3.9.2Limitations of Aid 3.9.3Support for Aid 3.9.4Application Questions - Developing Countries

Practice questions on Absolute & Relative Poverty

Can you answer these? Test yourself with free interactive practice on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.

1
Which of these describes a poverty trap?Multiple choice
2
Johnny is a low-earning graduate in poverty. He gets promoted, but his student loan increases and he is taxed more. What situation is he in?Multiple choice
3
What is a commonly used threshold for the poverty line in the UK?Multiple choice
4
What do people in absolute poverty not have access to?True / false
5
If corporation taxes were lowered for the top 100 companies in the UK, what would we expect to happen to the proportion of the population in relative poverty?Multiple choice

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Economic Growth & Productivity

Inequality