US Poverty Rate Jumps to 12.4% in 2022, Child Poverty More Than Doubles

A Census Bureau report has revealed that the poverty rate in the United States increased to 12.4% in 2022, marking a significant rise from previous years. Child poverty, in particular, saw a dramatic increase, more than doubling from 5.2% in 2021 to 12.4% in 2022, representing the largest change in child poverty since 2009 when the measure was initiated.

This surge resulted in approximately 15.3 million more Americans living in poverty. The report uses the Supplemental Poverty Measure (SPM), which factors in both income and non-cash assistance, such as food and housing aid, to gauge whether individuals have adequate resources to meet their needs.

The termination of the expanded federal Child Tax Credit in 2022 was identified as a key contributor to the increase in child poverty. Experts emphasize the role of policy choices in addressing poverty and urge lawmakers to reinstate the benefit to alleviate hardship.