Austerity measures refer to a set of economic policies aimed at reducing government spending, increasing taxes or both in order to reduce budget deficits and national debt. These measures typically involve cuts in public expenditure on programs such as healthcare, education, social welfare, and infrastructure development among others. The goal is to restore fiscal discipline by limiting the size of government and reducing its overall cost to taxpayers. Austerity measures are often implemented during times of economic hardship or when a country's debt levels become unsustainable. While these policies can help reduce deficits, they may also have negative social consequences such as increased poverty, unemployment, and reduced access to public services.