People at Income Level 3 earn between $8 – $32 a day. Lives for the two billion people at this Income Level are much more stable than for people at Levels 1 and 2, and they can afford to buy things beyond the basic necessities.
Of course, it’s not all fun and games. People at this Income Level work long hours in factories, or as drivers, nurses, and hairdressers. While there’s no doubt that threats are much less common at Level 3, life can still difficult and stressful at times.
By working hard, people at Level 3 are able to save a small amount of money, and sometimes even have access to microfinance. This extra money is often used to buy a small motorbike or moped, but even families without these luxuries have access to public transport.
More money also means more meat, which people at Level 3 can afford to buy from shops and markets. Their meals have variety and are more nutritious than for people at Levels 1 and 2, and unlike them, people at this Income Level eat something different for breakfast and dinner. There’s a further upgrade in kitchen facilities as well — they cook their meals on a simple stove, rather than an open fire or single gas burner.
Another huge positive is that people at this Income Level don’t have to spend time fetching water, because there is a clean water tap at home or very close by. Getting medical treatment is also easier, with hospitals and health clinics typically nearby, and local shops selling medicines for minor illnesses.
When it comes to living arrangements, at Level 3 people live in homes with more than one bedroom, and that are styled according to their taste. Their roofs don’t leak, and people are able to protect their families and possessions thanks to strong door locks and sealed windows. Electricity is much more stable at this income level, so people can buy a small television or laptop to watch their favorite shows.
Despite working long working hours — and often even multiple jobs — people at Level 3 may be lucky enough to be able to take their family for a very short vacation somewhere close by. That might not sound like much, but it represents a huge leap forward from Income Levels 1 and 2.