It doesn&#x27;t explain why they defined it so, but modern usage can at least be coming from the definition given in the Geneva Convention, which doesn&#x27;t mention poverty.<p><a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;en.wikipedia.org&#x2F;wiki&#x2F;Convention_relating_to_the_Status_of_Refugees" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;en.wikipedia.org&#x2F;wiki&#x2F;Convention_relating_to_the_Sta...</a><p>I guess in 1950 the lines between rich and poor countries were even starker, with the rich ones not really having the capability to deal with all the poor that would want to claim economic asylum.