The quote emphasizes that poverty is a relative concept, meaning it depends on the context of societal wealth distribution rather than absolute income levels. In other words, even when an economy grows and household incomes improve overall, this does not necessarily lead to a reduction in poverty if those at the lower end of the economic spectrum do not benefit as much from this growth.
Exploring further, the quote suggests that poverty is deeply intertwined with inequality, where wealth distribution plays a critical role. It implies that for real progress to be made against poverty, it's essential not just for the economy to grow but also for those in lower-income brackets to experience comparable improvements in their financial situations. If economic growth disproportionately benefits higher income groups while leaving lower-income households behind, the relative gap widens, and the perception of poverty becomes more pronounced.
Carrie Lam is a prominent political figure in Hong Kong, having served as its Chief Executive from 2017 until her resignation in January 2023. Known for her roles in both local governance and national politics within China, Lam has been actively involved in addressing socio-economic challenges such as poverty, housing affordability, and economic development, making the quoted statement particularly relevant to her policy interests and public statements on these issues.
