Yes, the U.S. has a significant amount of poverty, with around 37-38 million people living below the official poverty line (about 11-12% of the population), and millions more are low-income or in deep poverty, though official rates fluctuate slightly year to year, with higher rates for certain groups like children and people of color. While poverty levels dropped to historic lows pre-pandemic, they've risen since, and the U.S. has higher poverty rates compared to many other developed nations.
Key Figures & Data Points:
- Official Poverty Rate (2023): 11.1% (36.8 million people).
- Low-Income (Below 125% of Poverty): About 50 million Americans (around 15% of the population).
- Deep Poverty: Roughly 14 million people live in deep poverty (below 50% of the poverty line).
