When describing financial disadvantage, specific person-first wording is usually more respectful than using “Poor” as a label. Useful options include Low-income, Experiencing poverty, and Experiencing financial hardship, depending on whether you mean income level, poverty, or temporary hardship.
Choose the Most Accurate Wording for “Poor”
- Low-income
- On a low income
- Experiencing poverty
- Living in poverty
- Economically disadvantaged
- Financially disadvantaged
- Experiencing financial hardship
- Struggling financially
- Facing financial difficulties
- Living below the poverty line
- With limited financial resources
Low-income
“Low-income” is a neutral option when describing financial disadvantage or poverty accurately and respectfully.
Example: The program provides support for low-income households.
On a low income
Use “On a low income” when describing financial disadvantage or poverty accurately and respectfully; it gives the wording a neutral tone.
Example: The survey included people living on a low income.
Experiencing poverty
“Experiencing poverty” works well when describing financial disadvantage or poverty accurately and respectfully, particularly when you want a neutral expression.
Example: The charity works with families experiencing poverty.
Living in poverty
This neutral wording is useful when describing financial disadvantage or poverty accurately and respectfully: “Living in poverty.”
Example: The report examines barriers faced by children living in poverty.
Economically disadvantaged
“Economically disadvantaged” is a neutral option when describing financial disadvantage or poverty accurately and respectfully.
Example: The scheme focuses on economically disadvantaged communities.
Financially disadvantaged
Use “Financially disadvantaged” when describing financial disadvantage or poverty accurately and respectfully; it gives the wording a neutral tone.
Example: Additional grants are available to financially disadvantaged students.
Experiencing financial hardship
“Experiencing financial hardship” works well when describing financial disadvantage or poverty accurately and respectfully, particularly when you want a neutral expression.
Example: The fund supports people experiencing financial hardship.
Struggling financially
This neutral wording is useful when describing financial disadvantage or poverty accurately and respectfully: “Struggling financially.”
Example: Many households are struggling financially with rising costs.
Facing financial difficulties
“Facing financial difficulties” is a neutral option when describing financial disadvantage or poverty accurately and respectfully.
Example: The service offers advice to people facing financial difficulties.
Living below the poverty line
Use “Living below the poverty line” when describing financial disadvantage or poverty accurately and respectfully; it gives the wording a neutral tone.
Example: The analysis estimates how many households are living below the poverty line.
With limited financial resources
“With limited financial resources” works well when describing financial disadvantage or poverty accurately and respectfully, particularly when you want a neutral expression.
Example: The bursary is intended for students with limited financial resources.
A Quick Note on the Meaning of “Poor”
When the issue is income or poverty, specific language is usually better than a euphemism. Terms such as “low-income” or “experiencing financial hardship” describe circumstances without defining a person by them.