Those living in absolute poverty are severely malnourished. Compared to those living in industrialized nations, they have an infant mortality rate eight times higher and a life expectancy one-third lower.
Absolute poverty is to be contrasted with relative poverty.
Homeless people in the U.S. live in relative poverty. That is, they are poor relative to most U.S. residents. However, they do not live in absolute poverty, for most are adequately nourished and have at least some minimal access to shelter and medical care. Absolute affluence is affluence by any standard. Those living in absolute affluence have more than enough income than they need to provide for the basic necessities of life, such as food, shelter, and medical care.