The phrase "subsistence level" means having only enough resources or income to meet basic needs like food, shelter, and clothing, but not enough for anything extra or luxurious. Full definition
The Hunger Games is set in a future North America where the nation of Panem is divided between the elites in the capital and those living at subsistence levels in the twelve surrounding districts. (scifimoviepage.com)
Russian labor is to be paid wages above subsistence levels only to the extent that it can be taxed, thereby «freeing» as much non-wage income as possible from taxation — in particular, income for the privatized land, mineral resources and hitherto public utilities. (michael-hudson.com)
Its very possible on current exponential growth that the process of scarcity and price increases would be rapid, and thus could cause considerable hardship and tip parts of humanity into subsistence levels of consumption, as some materials become very scarce and hard to recycle. (realclimate.org)