Etudes par pays volume 2, PDF, 346 p., 1,4 Mo - Femise

11873_2002 Study D2: Poverty, Informal Sector, Health and Labour
3. POVERTY
3.1. Definitions
There are various definitions of poverty in literature, but three of which are
being used in Turkey. These definitions are: i) half of median income ii)
minimum food need to be purchased, and iii) basic needs approach.
Definition according to “Minimum Calorie need to be taken” approach
(minimum food basket): The poverty calculations are made based on
proposed calorie per person for all population in the country. People who
receive lower calories than propesed calorie are considered as poor (absolute
poverty definition).
Definition accordign to “minimum food need to be purchased” approacah:
In order for a person to continue his/her life there are some basic needs such
as nutrition, cloth, housing, education and health services that need to be
purchased. İt shows the border for poverty calculations made by using these
above mentioned criteria (absolute povery definition).
Definition accordign to “median or avarege income” approach: This
definiton uses average income created by whole society, takes half of this
median income, and considers those people who receive less than that as
poor (relative poverty definition).
State Planning Organization uses median income approach, but some
organizations suhc as Turk-Is labor Union use basic needs definition for
their calculations.
3.2. Policy and Legislation
One of the most efficient ways to prevent povery is to provide minimum
needs for live by providing social benefits for those considered as poor.
Given the main reason for poverty is lack of human capital, social benefits
FONDAZIONE CENSIS
318