According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the number of Americans living in poverty is at highest in the recorded history of the Census, which has figures dating back for 51 years. The number of Americans living in poverty was estimated at 43.6 million in 2009.
The official poverty rate computes out to about 1 in 7 Americans who are living in poverty. Also, concerning is the increase in the number of children who are living in poverty from 19% in 2008 to 20.7% in 2009. This means that on average one in five children live in poverty.
The one bit of good news in this report is that the poverty rate among all ages did not rise above 14.3%. As disheartening as that number is, some had predicted the rate might rise as high as 15%.
The government is expected to publish new, supplemental poverty figures beginning next year which are expected to show an even higher number of people in poverty. This leaves no better time than the present to get involved with groups, like IFC, that help fight poverty.
The statistics contained in this posting were published by MSNBC and you can read the full article on their website at : http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/39211644/ns/us_news-life/
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