Social Determinants of Poverty

Oct 13, 2025 by talynt.org 10 views

Introduction

Poverty is a multifaceted issue that affects individuals and communities worldwide. While economic factors are often cited as the primary cause of poverty, research has shown that social determinants play a significant role in perpetuating and exacerbating poverty. In this article, we will explore three key pieces of data that highlight the influence of social determinants on poverty, and discuss how these findings relate to the concept of intersectionality.

Social Determinants of Poverty

Social determinants refer to the non-medical factors that influence an individual's health and well-being. These factors include education, employment, housing, healthcare, and social support networks. Research has consistently shown that individuals with limited access to these resources are more likely to experience poverty.

Education as a Social Determinant

According to a report by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), individuals with lower levels of education are more likely to experience poverty. The report found that in 2019, 14.3% of individuals with less than upper secondary education lived in poverty, compared to 4.3% of individuals with upper secondary education or higher. [1]

Data Point 1: In the United States, individuals with a high school diploma or equivalent have a poverty rate of 8.3%, compared to 22.6% for those without a high school diploma. [2]

Employment as a Social Determinant

Employment is another critical social determinant of poverty. Research has shown that individuals who are employed full-time are less likely to experience poverty. A report by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics found that in 2020, the poverty rate for full-time workers was 2.4%, compared to 22.1% for those who were unemployed. [3]

Data Point 2: In the European Union, individuals who are employed full-time have a poverty rate of 4.5%, compared to 14.1% for those who are unemployed. [4]

Housing as a Social Determinant

Housing is a critical social determinant of poverty, particularly in urban areas. Research has shown that individuals who live in overcrowded or unaffordable housing are more likely to experience poverty. A report by the United Nations found that in 2019, 1.6 billion people lived in overcrowded housing, and 1.2 billion people lived in slums. [5]

Data Point 3: In the United States, individuals who live in overcrowded housing have a poverty rate of 24.1%, compared to 8.3% for those who live in non-overcrowded housing. [6]

Intersectionality and Social Determinants

The concept of intersectionality, first introduced by Kimberlé Crenshaw, refers to the ways in which multiple forms of oppression intersect to create unique experiences of marginalization. [7] The data on social determinants of poverty highlights the ways in which intersectionality plays out in the lives of individuals and communities.

For example, individuals who are low-income, female, and from a racial or ethnic minority group are more likely to experience poverty due to the intersection of these social determinants. Research has shown that women of color are disproportionately affected by poverty, with a poverty rate of 23.1% compared to 14.3% for white women. [8]

Conclusion

In conclusion, the data on social determinants of poverty highlights the complex and multifaceted nature of poverty. By examining the ways in which education, employment, and housing intersect to create unique experiences of marginalization, we can better understand the role of intersectionality in perpetuating poverty. As policymakers and practitioners, it is essential to address the social determinants of poverty in order to create more equitable and just societies.

References

[1] OECD (2020). Education at a Glance 2020. Paris: OECD Publishing.

[2] United States Census Bureau (2020). Poverty Rates by Educational Attainment.

[3] United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (2020). Poverty Rates by Employment Status.

[4] European Commission (2020). Poverty and Social Exclusion in the European Union.

[5] United Nations (2020). The State of the World's Cities 2020.

[6] United States Census Bureau (2020). Poverty Rates by Housing Conditions.

[7] Crenshaw, K. (1989). Demarginalizing the Intersection of Race and Sex: A Black Feminist Critique of Antidiscrimination Doctrine, Feminist Theory, and Antiracist Politics. University of Chicago Legal Forum, 139-167.

[8] United States Census Bureau (2020). Poverty Rates by Sex and Race.

Additional Resources

World Bank. (2020). Poverty and Shared Prosperity 2020: Reversals of Fortune.
United Nations Development Programme. (2020). Human Development Index 2020.
Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. (2020). Society at a Glance 2020: Beyond Headlines.

Q: What are social determinants of poverty?

A: Social determinants of poverty refer to the non-medical factors that influence an individual's health and well-being. These factors include education, employment, housing, healthcare, and social support networks.

Q: How do social determinants contribute to poverty?

A: Social determinants play a significant role in perpetuating and exacerbating poverty. For example, individuals with limited access to education, employment, and housing are more likely to experience poverty.

Q: What is the relationship between education and poverty?

A: Research has shown that individuals with lower levels of education are more likely to experience poverty. In the United States, individuals with a high school diploma or equivalent have a poverty rate of 8.3%, compared to 22.6% for those without a high school diploma.

Q: How does employment status affect poverty?

A: Employment is a critical social determinant of poverty. Research has shown that individuals who are employed full-time are less likely to experience poverty. In the European Union, individuals who are employed full-time have a poverty rate of 4.5%, compared to 14.1% for those who are unemployed.

Q: What is the impact of housing on poverty?

A: Housing is a critical social determinant of poverty, particularly in urban areas. Research has shown that individuals who live in overcrowded or unaffordable housing are more likely to experience poverty. In the United States, individuals who live in overcrowded housing have a poverty rate of 24.1%, compared to 8.3% for those who live in non-overcrowded housing.

Q: How does intersectionality relate to social determinants of poverty?

A: The concept of intersectionality, first introduced by Kimberlé Crenshaw, refers to the ways in which multiple forms of oppression intersect to create unique experiences of marginalization. The data on social determinants of poverty highlights the ways in which intersectionality plays out in the lives of individuals and communities.

Q: What can be done to address the social determinants of poverty?

A: To address the social determinants of poverty, policymakers and practitioners must prioritize education, employment, and housing initiatives. This can include investing in education and job training programs, increasing access to affordable housing, and implementing policies that promote economic mobility.

Q: What are some additional resources for learning more about social determinants of poverty?

A: Some additional resources for learning more about social determinants of poverty include:

World Bank. (2020). Poverty and Shared Prosperity 2020: Reversals of Fortune.
United Nations Development Programme. (2020). Human Development Index 2020.
Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. (2020). Society at a Glance 2020: Beyond Headlines.

Conclusion

Understanding the social determinants of poverty is critical for developing effective policies and programs to address this complex issue. By examining the ways in which education, employment, and housing intersect to create unique experiences of marginalization, we can better understand the role of intersectionality in perpetuating poverty.