World News
Argentina's poverty rate climbs to 32.3% as basic living costs outpace incomes
Official data shows poverty and extreme poverty rose in early 2026, reversing recent economic improvements.
The short version
- Argentina's national statistics agency INDEC reported the poverty rate climbed to 32.3% during the first half of 2026, up from 28.2% in late 2025.[ABC News]
- Extreme poverty rose from 6.3% to 7.5% as a nearly 20% surge in basic basket costs outpaced an 11.5% rise in household income.[ABC News]
- Economy Minister Luis Caputo highlighted that poverty remains sharply lower than the levels seen in early 2024.[ABC News]
- Projections by the Catholic University of Argentina indicate the poverty rate could reach 35% by the end of the year.[Al Jazeera]
Key facts
- Argentina's poverty rate climbed to 32.3% in the first half of 2026 from 28.2% in the second half of 2025, according to INDEC.[Al Jazeera · ABC News]
- The extreme poverty rate rose to 7.5% in early 2026, compared to 6.3% in the previous semester.[Al Jazeera · ABC News]
- The price of the basic basket of goods increased by nearly 20%, whereas average per-capita household income grew by 11.5%.[Al Jazeera · ABC News]
- Economy Minister Luis Caputo noted that both poverty and extreme poverty remain substantially lower than the rates measured in early 2024.[ABC News]
What remains uncertain
- The final poverty trajectory for 2026 remains uncertain, though Catholic University of Argentina projections indicate it could rise further to 35%.[Al Jazeera]
Sources
Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.