1. Poverty
April 6, 2017

2. Definitions of Poverty
Absolute
Relative
Implications for change in poverty rates
Why care about relative poverty?

3. Who is poor
All income Exclude Gov’t transfers Total Under 18 years to 24 years to 44 years to 64 years years and over In families Married-couple families Female hhlder, no husband present With related children under

5. Factors affecting Change in Poverty
Economic Growth
Distribution of earnings
Family types
Government programs
Means-tested
Social insurance

6. Alternative (absolute defintions)
Non-cash benefits
Taxes and Earned Income Tax Credit
What difference do they make
General issues in measurement of social problems

7. Poverty Rates, 2003
Official Include Tax/Transfer Total 12.5% 9.7% Under 18 years 17.7% 12.3% years 10.8% 8.9% 65 years and over 10.2% 8.1% Married 6.2% 4.3% Single mothers 30.0% 22.3% Single fathers 14.2% 10.9% White 8.2% 6.6% Black 24.4% 18.5% Hispanic 22.5% 16.3%

8. Poverty and Economic Growth
Efforts to reduce poverty
Why they might reduce growth
Why they might increase growth