貧困層(ひんこんそう)

ひんこんそう
noun
the poor; impoverished class; poverty-stricken population
1. the poor; impoverished class; poverty-stricken population
The segment of a population living in poverty. Used in news, sociology, and policy discussions about economic inequality.
貧困層(ひんこんそう)が増(ふ)えている。
The impoverished population is growing.
貧困層(ひんこんそう)への支援(しえん)を強化(きょうか)する。
To strengthen support for the poor.
富裕層(ふゆうそう)と貧困層(ひんこんそう)の格差(かくさ)がますます広(ひろ)がっている。
The gap between the wealthy and the poor is widening further.

貧困層(ひんこんそう) refers to the segment of a population living in poverty. Composed of 貧困(ひんこん) (poverty) + 層(そう) (class/stratum).

REGISTER:
A neutral, descriptive term used in news reporting, social policy, and academic discussions. Not pejorative, but formal in tone.

RELATED SOCIAL STRATA (層(そう)):

  • 富裕層(ふゆうそう): wealthy class
  • 中間層(ちゅうかんそう): middle class
  • 低所得層(ていしょとくそう): low-income bracket
  • 高齢者層(こうれいしゃそう): elderly demographic

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 貧困層(ひんこんそう)が拡大(かくだい)する: the impoverished class expands
  • 貧困層(ひんこんそう)への支援(しえん): support for the poor
  • 貧困層(ひんこんそう)と富裕層(ふゆうそう)の格差(かくさ): gap between rich and poor

NOTE:
The suffix 層(そう) is productive and attaches to many demographic descriptors to indicate a social group or stratum.

general
Added 2026.3.22 9:48 · Revised 2026.3.29 16:30
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