United States

In 1959, the poverty rate was 22.4 % with 39 million Americans considered poor. Poverty rates fell for several years and reached a low of 11.1% in 1973. Since then, the poverty rate has increased, reaching a high of 15.2% in 1983. Even though the poverty rate has declined since 1959, the number of poor remains high because of population increase. In 1989, there were 31.5 million Americans classified as poor compared to 33.1 million in 1965.

The US Bureau of Census in its Current Population Report, Series P-60, #168, and in the Economic Report of the President 1991, has provided a graph on poverty by race and female headship for 1970 through 1990. The figure discloses that there are highly significant differences between Blacks, Whites, and Hispanics. Another figure given by the US Bureau of Census presented poverty rates for given characteristics of poverty-stricken families and persons: Blacks have the highest poverty rates, followed by Hispanics and non-Hispanic Whites. Female-headed families have the highest poverty incidence rates of all the groups shown.

On the other hand, and even in the same year, there were also significant regional variations in the poverty rates. In 1990, the poverty rate in Connecticut was only 6%. However, on the same year, the poverty rates in Louisiana and Mississippi were 23.6% and 25.7%, respectively.

Although some groups are disproportionately represented among the poor, poverty cuts across all categories of people.

Regarding age, the poverty rates are highest among those under 16 years of age, those between 16 and 21, and the elderly (above 65). The Census Bureau has reported that 2/5 of poor children are non-Hispanic Whites. In addition to this, almost 1 of every 2 Black children is poor, as is 1 of 3 Hispanic children. The Children’s Defense Fund has also stated that 40% of children in poor working families have no health insurance.

In the racial aspect, minorities, such as Blacks and Hispanics, have higher poverty rates than other groups, such as Native Americans. With regards to education, most poor haven’t attained complete secondary schooling. In the labor sector, most are either excluded in the labor force, working part time, or are currently unemployed.

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