Child Poverty Nearly Triples to 13% Over Three Years
Child poverty in the U.S. has surged, nearly tripling from 5% in 2021 to 13% in 2024. This dramatic increase follows the expiration of pandemic-era economic policies and rising prices that have strained family budgets nationwide. However, a new report from the Annie E. Casey Foundation, “Measuring Access to Opportunity in the United States: A 10-Year Update,” underscores the profound impact of public policies and programs, demonstrating their capacity to cut child poverty in half.
This report, which analyzes U.S. Census Bureau figures from the annual Supplemental Poverty Measure (SPM), reveals that more than 1 in 8 children in this country lived in poverty in 2024. Without the support of government programs and policies, the child poverty rate would nearly double — underscoring how vital these efforts are to helping families make ends meet. Among children living in poverty, 61%, or 5.9 million, lived with at least one employed parent in 2024.
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Source: Annie E. Casey Foundation
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