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US poverty ranks swelled by 1.7 million in 2002: Census
Washington, Sept 27: Some 1.7 million people in the United States joined the ranks of the poor in 2002 and the poverty rate increase to 12.1 per cent from 11.7 per cent a year earlier, the Census Bureau has reported.
Washington, Sept 27: Some 1.7 million people in the United States joined the ranks of the poor in 2002 and the poverty rate increase to 12.1 per cent from 11.7 per cent a year earlier, the Census Bureau has reported.
Median household income declined 1.1 per cent from 2001 to 42,409 dollars, the report showed yesterday.
The number of poor people as defined by the government increased to 34.6 million from 32.9 million, the annual census survey found. It was the second straight year of rising poverty and declining income as the US economy emerged from a recession which began in March 2001 and ended eight months later.
Nonetheless, the report was expected to spark a heated debate about economic policies and income distribution in light of big tax cuts enacted in recent years. "The increase in the poverty rate that represents more than one million people reflects a continual trend in loss of income and joblessness that may soon impact homelessness as well," said Marc Morial, president of the National Urban League.
"We urge that Congress work to extend unemployment benefits for up to 26 weeks. This will help to stem the tide for workers who have lost their jobs in these tough economic times," he said.
The government's poverty threshold for a family of four in 2002 was 18,392 dollars annually, 14,348 dollars for a family of three, 11,756 dollars for a family of two and 9,183 dollars for individuals. Bureau Report
The number of poor people as defined by the government increased to 34.6 million from 32.9 million, the annual census survey found. It was the second straight year of rising poverty and declining income as the US economy emerged from a recession which began in March 2001 and ended eight months later.
Nonetheless, the report was expected to spark a heated debate about economic policies and income distribution in light of big tax cuts enacted in recent years. "The increase in the poverty rate that represents more than one million people reflects a continual trend in loss of income and joblessness that may soon impact homelessness as well," said Marc Morial, president of the National Urban League.
"We urge that Congress work to extend unemployment benefits for up to 26 weeks. This will help to stem the tide for workers who have lost their jobs in these tough economic times," he said.
The government's poverty threshold for a family of four in 2002 was 18,392 dollars annually, 14,348 dollars for a family of three, 11,756 dollars for a family of two and 9,183 dollars for individuals. Bureau Report