define the following terms: poverty,poverty line and poverty cycle
describe south Africa in terms of economic inequality.
- Poverty: Poverty is the state of being extremely poor, lacking the resources or means to meet basic needs such as food, shelter, and clothing. It can also refer to a lack of access to education, healthcare, and other essential services.
- Poverty line: The poverty line is a threshold below which individuals or families are considered to be living in poverty. It is typically based on a certain level of income or consumption that is deemed necessary to afford basic needs.
- Poverty cycle: The poverty cycle refers to the phenomenon where individuals or families become trapped in a cycle of poverty, often due to factors such as lack of education and skills, limited access to opportunities, and systemic barriers that prevent upward mobility.
In South Africa, there is a high level of economic inequality, with a significant portion of the population living in poverty while a small percentage of the population controls the majority of the wealth. The legacy of apartheid, which ended in the early 1990s, has had a lasting impact on the economic disparities in the country, with black South Africans disproportionately affected by poverty and deprivation. Despite efforts to address these inequalities through policies such as affirmative action and social welfare programs, the gap between the rich and the poor remains wide. Additionally, high levels of unemployment, limited access to quality education and healthcare, and persistent racial disparities contribute to the ongoing economic inequality in the country.