Alcohol consumption and poverty in Sri Lanka 12+

📕 Scientific Study from the year 2017 in the subject Sociology - Miscellaneous, , language: English, abstract: Sri Lanka's alcohol production and consumption have grown rapidly and more than 75 percent of the government's revenue, from alcohol taxes and levies, comes from arrack production. Hard liquor consumption is relatively high in Sri Lanka compared with the global trend, as well. Illegal alcohol (mainly known as Kasippu) consumption in Sri Lanka is popular among people because it is cheaper. In the second half of this paper, various definitions on poverty and its measurements are briefly discussed in order to emphasise that the term 'poverty' is not merely a lack of income, and to broaden the term's connotations. This chapter also serves to highlight the fact that poverty is a complex phenomenon with various social, health and economical influences. Following a survey of definitions of poverty and description of poverty measurements, this chapter provides an overview of global trends in poverty and poverty in Sri Lanka. Although the aggregate poverty rates declined in the world, the number of poor people has increased in South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa continents. Compared to the other South Asian countries Sri Lanka has had better living conditions. There is a declining trend in poverty in Sri Lanka. However, the income inequality has grown in Sri Lanka in recent years as it has been in the South Asian region.