POVERTY AS A

CHALLENGE
By Ninoshka, Rajula and Subiksha

POVERTY LINE
Poverty is commonly measured by the income
or consumption levels. A person is considered
poor if his or her income falls below a given
minimum level necessary to fulfill basic
needs. What is necessary to satisfy basic
needs is different at different times and in
different countries. The present formula for
food requirement while estimating the
poverty line is based on the desired calorie
requirement.

The accepted average calorie

requirement in India is 2400
calories per person per day in
urban areas. Since people living
in rural areas engage themselves
in more physical work, calorie
requirements are considered to
be higher than urban areas.

ESTIMATES OF
POVERTY IN INDIA
POVERTY RATIO NUMBER OF POOR
(IN MILLIONS)
(%)
YEAR

RURA URBA TOTA

L
N
L
1993- 50.1 31.8 44.3
94
2004- 41.8 25.7 37.2
05
2011- 25.7 13.7 21.9
12

RURA URBA TOTA

L
N
L
328.6 74.5 403.7

326.3 80.8

407.1

216.5 52.8

269.3

-Economic survey 2013-14, Ministry of Finance,