<P> In 1978, Ghai investigated the literature that criticized the basic needs approach . Critics argued that the basic needs approach lacked scientific rigour; it was consumption - oriented and antigrowth . Some considered it to be "a recipe for perpetuating economic backwardness" and for giving the impression "that poverty elimination is all too easy". Amartya Sen focused on' capabilities' rather than consumption . </P> <P> In the development discourse, the basic needs model focuses on the measurement of what is believed to be an eradicable level of poverty . </P> <Table> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> This section needs additional citations for verification . Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources . Unsourced material may be challenged and removed . (June 2012) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) </Td> </Tr> </Table> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> This section needs additional citations for verification . Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources . Unsourced material may be challenged and removed . (June 2012) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) </Td> </Tr>

Daily individual income that the united nations defines as living in poverty