Which term describes a state of economic hardship?

The term that describes a state of economic hardship is poverty. Poverty refers to the condition in which individuals or groups lack sufficient financial resources to meet their basic needs, such as food, shelter, and clothing. It is often measured in terms of income levels, with various thresholds defined to classify individuals or communities as living in poverty.

In contrast, population density refers to the number of people living per unit area of land and does not directly imply economic hardship. Natural disasters, while they can certainly lead to economic hardship, are specific events like floods or earthquakes rather than a state of being. Primary industries involve the extraction or production of raw materials, such as agriculture, mining, and forestry, and are not inherently linked to economic hardship but rather represent a sector of the economy. Therefore, poverty is the term that most accurately encapsulates a state of economic hardship.