Theright to an adequate standard of living is listed as part of theUniversal Declaration of Human Rights that was accepted by theGeneral Assembly of the United Nations on December 10, 1948.[1]
Everyone has the right to astandard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, includingfood,clothing,housing and medical care and necessarysocial services, and the right to security in the event ofunemployment, sickness,disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control.
— Article 25.1 of theUniversal Declaration of Human Rights[1]
The right to an adequate standard of living can be linked to both article 1 and 22 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights[1]
"All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights."
— Article 1 of theUniversal Declaration of Human Rights[1]
"Everyone, as a member of society, has the right to social security and is entitled to realization, through national effort and international co-operation and in accordance with the organization and resources of each State, of the economic, social and cultural rights indispensable for his dignity and the free development of his personality."
— Article 22 of theUniversal Declaration of Human Rights[1]
Furthermore, it has been written down in article 11 of the United Nations'International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.
The predecessor of this right, theFreedom from Want, is one of theFour Freedoms thatAmerican PresidentFranklin D. Roosevelt spoke of at hisState of the Union of January 6, 1941. According to Roosevelt it is a right every human being everywhere in the world should have. Roosevelt described the third right as follows:[2]
The third is freedom from want which, translated into world terms, means economic understandings which will secure to every nation a healthy peacetime life for its inhabitants, everywhere in the world.
— PresidentFranklin D. Roosevelt, January 6, 1941.[3]