SUBSISTENCE LEVEL Meaning and
Definition
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Subsistence level refers to the minimum level of income, resources, or consumption required to meet the basic needs for survival. It represents the bare minimum necessary for an individual or a household to sustain themselves, often associated with the acquisition of food, clothing, shelter, and other essential goods and services.
An important aspect of subsistence level is that it aims to provide for the basic survival needs and does not accommodate discretionary or luxuries items. It implies living at a level that barely allows for meeting one's primary requirements and offers little to no room for savings, investment, or any significant improvement in living standards.
The subsistence level varies across countries and regions, depending on factors such as cost of living, cultural practices, and government policies. In developing nations, people earning at subsistence level often work in low-skilled or informal sectors, earning meager wages that are barely enough to cover basic needs. This can result in a cycle of poverty, as individuals struggle to break free from the constraints of meeting only their most fundamental survival requirements.
Subsistence level can also be used as an indicator to measure poverty levels within a society. Policies and social welfare programs are often designed to ensure that individuals or households can reach a level above subsistence, allowing them to have access to a decent standard of living and opportunities for social mobility.
Common Misspellings for SUBSISTENCE LEVEL
- aubsistence level
- zubsistence level
- xubsistence level
- dubsistence level
- eubsistence level
- wubsistence level
- sybsistence level
- shbsistence level
- sjbsistence level
- sibsistence level
- s8bsistence level
- s7bsistence level
- suvsistence level
- sunsistence level
- suhsistence level
- sugsistence level
- subaistence level
- subzistence level
- subxistence level
- subdistence level
Etymology of SUBSISTENCE LEVEL
The word "subsistence" derives from the Latin term "subsistentia", which means "existence" or "way of living". It is formed by combining the prefix "sub-", meaning "under" or "partially", and the verb "sistere", meaning "to stand".
When used in the context of "subsistence level", it refers to the minimum level of income, resources, or provisions necessary to sustain a person or a group. This term emerged in the late 18th century and is often associated with basic necessities required for survival, such as food, shelter, and clothing. Thus, "subsistence level" essentially implies the minimal conditions needed to maintain a basic standard of living.
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