Absolute Deprivation

Absolute Deprivation refers to the absence of essential resources required for human survival, including adequate food, clean water, shelter, and healthcare. Unlike relative deprivation, which compares individuals’ conditions to societal standards, absolute deprivation is measured against fixed, universal benchmarks of human need. This concept is crucial in sociology for analyzing extreme poverty and its impacts on individuals and communities. By examining the structural causes of absolute deprivation, sociologists aim to identify systemic inequities and propose policies to ensure basic needs are met globally. Understanding absolute deprivation is fundamental for addressing humanitarian crises, reducing inequality, and advancing global development goals.