indigence
/ˈɪndɪd͡ʒəns/ · in.dig.en.ce
noun
- Extreme poverty or destitution The charity worked tirelessly to alleviate the indigence of the homeless population.
- A state of being in need or lacking something essential The country's indigence in medical supplies made it difficult to respond to the pandemic.
Did you know? The word 'indigence' has been used in literature to describe the struggles of the working class, as seen in Charles Dickens' novel 'Oliver Twist', where the character of Oliver is forced to live in a workhouse due to his family's indigence.