Cultures have internal and external elements that contribute to the existence of poverty is

• Lack of shelter
• Limited access to clean water resources
• Food insecurity
• Physical disabilities
• Lack of access to health care
• Unemployment
• Absence of social services
• Gender discrimination
• Poor infrastructure
• Government corruption
• Environmental circumstances such as natural disasters, droughts, limited resources or depletion of natural resources

Other elements are intangible and internal—knowledge, aspiration, diligence, confidence, leadership styles, participatory governance, social capital, values, and peace, to name a few.