What is Poverty? Poverty is deprivation of those things that determine the quality of life, including food, clothing, shelter and safe drinking water, but also such "intangibles" as the opportunity to learn and to enjoy the respect of fellow citizens.

Poverty Poverty may affect individuals or groups, and is not confined to the developing nations. Poverty in developed countries is manifest in a set of social problems including homelessness and the persistence of high density housing clusters.

What are the causes of Poverty? Global systemic causes- trade, aid and debt National level- deficiencies of public administration and financial management, inadequate social programs. Individual level- drug use, work ethic and education

Economic Factors Unemployment Increased farming for use in biofuels, along with world oil prices at nearly $100 a barrel, has pushed up the price of grain. Unfair terms of trade, in particular, the very high subsidies to and protective tariffs for agriculture in the developed world.

Environmental Factors 1.Erosion. Intensive farming often leads to a vicious cycle of exhaustion of soil fertility and decline of agricultural yields and thence increased poverty. 2.Desertification and overgrazing. Approximately 40% of the world's agricultural land is seriously degraded. In Africa, if current trends of soil degradation continue, the continent might be able to feed just 25% of its population by 2025, according to Ulna's Ghana-based Institute for Natural Resources in Africa. 3.Deforestation as exemplified by the widespread rural poverty in China that began in the early 20th century and is attributed to non-sustainable tree harvesting. 4.Climate Change. Climate also limits what crops and farm animals may be used on similarly fertile lands. 5.Drought and water crisis.

Health Care Poor access to affordable health care makes individuals less resilient to economic hardship and more vulnerable to poverty. Inadequate nutrition in childhood, undermines the ability of individuals to develop their full human capabilities and thus makes them more vulnerable to poverty.

Governance Lacking democracy in poor countries. The effectiveness of governments has a major impact on the delivery of socioeconomic outcomes for poor populations. Weak rule of law (The rule of law, is the principle that no one is above the law) can discourage investment and thus perpetuate poverty. Failure by governments to provide essential infrastructure worsens poverty.

Social Factors Overpopulation and lack of access to birth control methods. Crime War Discrimination