Government Report Shows U.S. Poverty Level Rose In 2009

According to government figures, the U.S.’s poverty rate climbed from 13.2% in 2008 to 14.3% in 2009, marking the third consecutive annual increase.

A report by the Census Bureau revealed that last year’s poverty rates were the highest since 1994 and the number of people who were poverty-stricken last year, 43.6 million, is the highest since 1959, the earliest year the numbers were available.

The number of Americans in poverty under the age of 18 and between the ages of 18-64 increased in 2009, but decreased for seniors (65+). Additionally, the midwestern, southern and western regions of the country experienced the highest increases in poverty.

The bureau’s most recent report shows that the poverty threshold is now roughly $11,000 for single adults, and about $22,000 for a family of four. That’s before taxes.

Additionally, the bureau’s report discovered that number of people with health insurance decreased for the first time since 1987 by nearly 2 million. The decrease in health insurance coverage correlates with increasing poverty rates and is an example of the toll the recession has taken on the nation.