The poverty increased to an alarming 55.5% of the population in the first quarter of 2024of which a 17.5% is indigent. This was estimated by the director of the Social Debt Observatory of the Argentine Catholic University (UCA), Augustine Salviain exclusive dialogue with Ambit. Extrapolated to the population of the 31 urban agglomerations, this implies that Around 25 million Argentines are poor, of which around 8 million are in a state of extreme poverty, below the Basic Food Basket (CBA).
The breakdown of the latest data from the National Institute of Statistics and Censuses (INDEC) shows that in the fourth quarter of 2023 poverty rose to 44.8%, while destitution climbed to the 13.8%. But in December, after the devaluation of 54% of the pesothe first climbed to 45.2% and the second to 15.4%.
“Total food insecurity for urban areas surveyed by the ODSA-UCA survey, It reaches 24.7% of people, 20.8% of households and 32.2% of children and adolescents. On the other hand, they are in an even more serious situation, with severe food insecurity he 10.9% of peoplehe 8.8% of households and the 13.9% of children and adolescents (NNyA).
When considering the AMBA, the total food insecurity values are located at 26.4% of people, 21.8% of households and 35% of children and adolescents. When considering severe food insecurity, they are at 9.9%, 12.7% and 16.5%, respectively,” according to the report titled “Structural social debts in Argentine society.”
20.6% of households suffer from food inefficiency
In Argentina, 20.6% of households suffer food insufficiencyand total about 3.7 million homes, which are home to about 11 million inhabitants. These high values of food deprivation suffered by the population seek to be compensated by different actions of the State.
“Considering children and adolescents, 42.6% of them reside in households that receive the AUH+Food Card, 50% attend school cafeterias, 36.7% receive boxes or bags of food from cafeterias and 11.1% receive boxes or bags of food from non-school cafeterias; adding more than one benefit in many homes,” indicates the report from the ODSA-UCA.
Poverty and indigence: perspectives for 2024
In the midst of a recessive scenario, the reduction of poverty by the end of 2024 will depend on the Inflation continues on a decelerating path, investments begin to arrive and reactivate the economy. “But we don’t know how much longer this recession will last. If inflation falls by rate adjustments and no investment is generatedpoverty will continue to be close to 50% and indigence at 15%,” said Salvia.
Although he predicted that for June there will be a “little summer” thanks to the collection of the bonus, and the increase in pensions and social programs, which will reactivate consumption a little (it comes on a strong downward curve). But this can also bring about an inflationary acceleration.
“So that the poverty, should give up inflation and generate new jobs with salaries that grow above the CPI, as well as the social programs. So, By the end of the year, the poverty projection would be at a near floor to the 38%/40% and indigence of 12%as long as a context of inflation drop and economic reactivation”Salvia evaluated.
