The purpose of a poverty line is to help us understand poverty in a particular place and find better measures to solve the problem – not to reduce poverty itself, or to mask the problem by classifying less people as 'poor'. Therefore, any calculation involving the poverty line should be fair; and any method that might hinder a true diagnosis of the poverty situation has to be avoided.

After years of advocacy by Oxfam Hong Kong and other groups, the Commission on Poverty finally reached a consensus on the method for setting the poverty line in late March this year; and the poverty line is expected to be set within this year. The Commission has initially adopted Oxfam Hong Kong’s suggestion to set the poverty line at 50% of the median ...

Absolute poverty: A condition characterised by deprivation of materials and services for livelihood or satisfaction of basic human needs, as defined by an objective standard.

Relative poverty: A condition characterised by deprivation that is ...

Oxfam is dedicated to fighting poverty and inequity worldwide. The international and independent development and humanitarian organisation tackles poverty in four main ways: sustainable development in poor communities, disaster relief, local, national and global advocacy, and education with Hong Kong youth. Established in Hong Kong in 1976, Oxfam Hong Kong is a founding member of Oxfam, an international confederation that has assisted poor people in 94 countries. Oxfam Hong Kong alone has supported poor people in over 70 countries/regions.