Poverty as a Challenge Explained in Simple Words | NCERT Class 9 Economics

Chapter 3: Poverty as a Challenge (Easy Explanation)

1. What is poverty?

   • When a person cannot get the basic things needed for life like food, clothes, and a place to live.

2. How many people are poor?

   • About every fifth person in India is poor.
   • Earlier India had the highest number of poor people, but now Nigeria has more extreme poor people than India.

3. Urban poverty (City poverty):

   • Poor people living in cities are rickshaw pullers, cobblers, hawkers, rag pickers, and daily wage workers.
   • They have no property or assets and usually live in slums.

4. Rural poverty (Village poverty):

   • Poor people living in villages include landless farmers, farm workers, and small or marginal farmers.

5. How social scientists look at poverty:

   • Income and consumption: Poverty is related to how much people earn and spend.
   • Other indicators: Poverty is also seen by checking:
     • Illiteracy (can’t read or write)
     • Weak health or malnutrition
     • No proper healthcare
     • No jobs
     • Unsafe drinking water
     • Poor sanitation (cleanliness)

6. Social exclusion:

   • Poor people often have to live separately in poor areas with other poor people. This keeps them away from opportunities and facilities.

7. Vulnerability (risk of becoming poor):

   • Some communities or individuals are at a greater risk of becoming poor in the future due to lack of stable jobs, social status, or support.

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In one line:

Poverty is not just about low income; it is also about lack of education, healthcare, job opportunities, clean water, and social inclusion.

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