Poverty is identified as a relative deprivation due to the fact that poverty is associated and related to the level of income and social living that is seen as average for a society. Expects argue that there are different definitions of poverty.  Other definitions come from expects who have experienced poverty those that have only been exposed to it from a distance.  Mr Townsend believed that poverty should be defined in relation to the standards of a particular time, seeing that society in effect determines peoples needs and what foodstuff are available.

According to Studies in Poverty and Inequality Institution (2007). It is said that  poverty exist as the level of where the income of a person is equal to the amount of money they need in ordeer to make ends meet.

Examples of how poverty can be defined

1. Defined by using the $1 and $2 a day principle. Where those who are on developing countries who live under the $1 are seen or classified as poor.

2. The Poverty Datum Line which is divided into two parts. the primary and the secondary datum line.

Primary Datum Line which consisted solely of the cost of food, clothing, cleansing materials and fuel and light.

Secondary Datum Line which makes provision for the cost of accommodation, transport for the bread winner and taxation.