What's the difference between absolute and relative poverty?

Question

Would the us have more absolute, or would like africa?

Answer 1

Absolute poverty means compared to all the people in the world.  Relative poverty means compared to the people around you/in your own culture.

So whereas people in America make maybe $50,000/year, people in Africa make maybe $300/year.  In absolute terms, Americans make more money (50,000>300).