Defining and Measuring Poverty: Challenges and Opportunities

By Jim Masters and Teresa Wickstrom Center for Community !utures

Draft "
#July $% $&&'(
Ta)le of Contents
*+
Pro,ect Overvie-+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++%
B+ Dictionary Definitions of Poverty++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++$
C+ .nited /tates !ederal Definition of Poverty++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++0
D+ 1o- the Census Bureau Measures Poverty+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++2
Poverty 3esearch+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++%$
4+ /tate 5ncome 6evels .sed in Ta7 Credit Programs8888888++888888%9
!+ .nited /tates : Other Organi;ations+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++%<
=+ 5nternational Organi;ations8888888888888888+888888+%"
1+ Measuring =lo)al Poverty+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++$&
5+ 5nternational : Other >ations++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++$%
%+ *!35C*+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++$%
$+ C*MBOD5*++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++$%
9+ C*>*D*++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++$%
'+ C15>*+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++$%
0+ 4>=6*>D++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++$$
?+ 4.3OP4++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++$$
2+ !5>6*>D++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++$$
<+ =43M*>@+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++$'
%&+ /1*>=1*5++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++9&
%%+ /O.T1 *!35C*+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++9&
%$+ /P*5>++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++9%
%9+ /W4D4>+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++9%
%'+ 3.//5*+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++9%
*66++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++9%
J+ Comparing the 4lements of the Different *pproaches+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++'&
A+ Pro)lems in the 47isting .+/+ !ederal Definition of Poverty++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++'%
6+ Bi)liography and 4lectronic documents+++++++++++++++++++++++Error! Bookmark not defined.
M+ /takeholders and 47perts++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++'<
*ppendi7 *+ .nited WayBs /tate of Caring 5nde7+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++0%
&
A. Project Overview
This is a survey of the definitions and measures of poverty in use )y various
organi;ations and governments around the -orld+ This does not descri)e every single
one of them )ecause this paper -ould )e hundreds of pages long+ 5nstead it descri)es a
fe- definitions and lists the sources for many more and )egins to compile some of the
pro)lems -ith the current situation+
The purpose of this )ackground material is to provide the source material to create a
frame-ork that sho-s the types of elements or factors that make up different definitions
e+g+ income assets government )enefits social factors etc+ We -ill also try to make
e7plicit the underlying assumptions -hich reCuires Dun)undlingE the definitions in some
cases+
We recogni;e that most definitions are )ased on: a particular culture on the values of the
society or organi;ation that create it on the e7tent to -hich a definition is )ased on social
science religion economics or some other discipline and on the political compromises
they reached to arrive at their definition+ .nlike chemistry or astronomy or
microeconomics there is no standardi;ed set of definitions to use as )uilding )locks :
there is ,ust -hatever the promulgator uses+
We -ill then group the definitions according to the #a( underlying assumptions or #)(
ma,or themes emphasi;ed or #c( clusters of similar factors+
We -ill then seek to compare the definitions in terms of the factors that make them up
and create a construct that reflects the ma,or themes+
We are not trying to ,udge them as )eing DrightE or D-rongE and -e are not trying to
construct the perfect definition+ !urthermore this is not intended to )e an e7haustive
revie-F -e are not trying to include every citation on this topic #there are thousands of
them(+ We are trying to get enough of a picture that -e can compare the apples and
oranges : and assess the utility of the different types of definitions -ith regard to the
primary purpose of this overall pro,ect GG to create a $%
st
century model+
Hirtually all the content material is from the pu)lications and -e)sites as cited i+e+ -e
have included items from the sources as -ritten there+ We did no editing of this source
material+ We ,ust put it in+ 5 think the )enefit of this D-e) searchE approach are threeG
fold+ !irst this is -hat other people see -hen they do -e) searches+ /econdly it is a lot
faster for us to do+ Thirdly you get hot links to ,ump to other material+
5nitially 5 thought this paper -as going to )e a)out %& pages )ut as Teresa and 5 dug and
dug -e discovered far more sources than -e had anticipated+ 5 think in the final version
it might )e useful for me to put my comments in a different typeface+
5t -ill )e useful to read this on a computer that is connected to the 5nternet so that as you
come upon a source you -ant to look at further you can click on it+ 1appy clickingI
%
B. Dictionary Definitions of Poverty
a(+ !rom We)sterBs Dictionary #cJo http:JJdictionary+reference+comJsearch( ?J$&&'
poverty n.
%+ The state of )eing poorF lack of the means of providing material needs or
comforts+
$+ Deficiency in amountF scantiness: Dthe poverty of feeling that reduced her soulE
#/cott Turo-(+
9+ .nproductivenessF infertility: the poverty of the soil.
'+ 3enunciation made )y a mem)er of a religious order of the right to o-n property+
)(+ MerriamGWe)ster .na)ridged+ /ource: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary,
1996, 1998 !"R#, !nc.
The Cuality or state of )eing poor or indigentF -ant or scarcity of means of
su)sistenceF indigenceF need+ D/-athed in num)lest poverty+E GGAe)le+
*ny deficiency of elements or resources that are needed or desired or that
constitute richnessF as poverty of soilF poverty of the )loodF poverty of ideas+
/ynonyms: 5ndigenceF penuryF )eggaryF needF lackF -antF scantinessF sparingnessF
meagernessF ,e,uneness+
.sage: Poverty 5ndigence Pauperism+ Poverty is a relative termF -hat is poverty
to a monarch -ould )e competence for a day la)orer+ 5ndigence implies e7treme distress
and almost a)solute destitution+ Pauperism denotes entire dependence upon pu)lic
charity and therefore often a hopeless and degraded state+
c( *nd a $&&& update on definitions from the 5nstitute for 3esearch on Poverty is
availa)le at http:JJ---+ssc+-isc+eduJirpJfaCsJfaC2+htm
d( www.wikipedia.com The free openGsource resource
Poverty is a su),ective and comparative term descri)ing a lack of sufficient -ealth
#usually understood as capital money material goods or resources especially natural
resources( to live -hat is understood in a society as a KnormalK life: for instance to )e
capa)le of raising a healthy family and especially educating children and participating in
society+ * person living in this condition of poverty is said to )e poor+ The meaning of
$s%fficient$ varies -idely across the different political and economic areas of the -orld+
$
d( www.wikipedia.com (more)
Poverty is essentially the collective condition of poor people or of poor groups and in
this sense entire nationGstates are sometimes regarded as poor+ To avoid stigma these are
usually called developing nations+
Poverty is often strongly correlated -ith social pro)lems such as crime and disease
#nota)ly se7ually transmitted diseases( sometimes in epidemic form+ *s a result many
societies employ social -orkers to fight poverty )y a variety of methods -hich range
from moral persuasion to financial su)sidy to physical coercion+
There is evidence of poverty in every region+ 5n developed countries this condition
results in -andering homeless people and poor su)ur)s #-ith soGcalled )idonvilles or
favelas( in -hich poor people are G more or less G restricted to a ghetto+
The condition in itself is not al-ays considered negatively even if this is the prevalent
interpretation: some cultural or religious groups consider poverty an ideal condition to
live in a condition necessary in order to reach certain spiritual or intellectual states+ *
nota)le e7ample is that of the Christian !ranciscan order+ This is called voluntary
simplicity of -hich voluntary poverty is an e7treme form+
Poverty is studied )y many social scientific and cultural disciplines+
5n economics t-o kinds of poverty are considered: relative and a)solute+
5n politics the fight against poverty is usually regarded as a social goal and most
governments have G secondarily at least G some dedicated institutions or
departments+ The -ork done )y these )odies is mostly limited to census studies
and identification of some income level )elo- -hich a citi;en is technically
considered poor+ *ctive interventions may include housing plans social pensions
special ,o) opportunities or reCuirements+ /ome ideologies #such as Mar7ism(
argue that the economists and politicians actively -ork to create poverty+ Other
theories consider poverty a sign of a failing economic system and one of the main
causes of crime+
5n la- poverty is recognised in most developed countries as a mitigating factor
for the determination of the punishment )eing usually considered coincident -ith
a generic and permanent state of need -hich can affect and alter the correct
capa)ility of clearly or freely identifying the legally and socially accepta)le
)ehaviour+ Poverty is generally argued to cause increased crime rates amongst the
poor )y increasing their stress+
5n education poverty affects a studentLs a)ility to effectively profit from the
learning environments+ 4specially for younger students coming from poverty
their primary needs as descri)ed in Maslo-Ls 1ierarchy of >eedsF the need for a
safe and sta)le homes clothes on their )acks and regular meals clouds a studentLs
a)ility to learn+ !urthermore in education circles there is a term used to
characteri;e the phenomenon of the rich getting richer and the poorer getting
9
d( www.wikipedia.com (more)
poorer #as it relates to education )ut easily transfers to poverty in general( is the
Matthe- 4ffect+
3elated de)ates on a statesL human capital and a personLs individual capital tend like-ise
to focus on access to the instructional capital and social capital availa)le only to those
educated in such formal systems+
Causes of Poverty
Poverty is a highly political issue+ People -ith right -ing vie-s often see it as related to
la;iness and a lack of !amily planning+ People -ith left -ing vie-s see it more in terms
of /ocial Justice and lack of opportunity in 4ducation+ 5t is a highly comple7 issue in
-hich various factors often play a part+
4liminating Poverty
Many societies at various times have tried to eliminate poverty through numerous
measures including education industriali;ation and through forms of social -elfare+ *
true solution has remained elusive+
/ee also: Poverty pimp Poverty line =iffen good PauperLs oath + MeditN
47ternal links:
Poverty 3acism and 6iteracy+ 435C Digest #http&''(((.ericdigests.org')**+,
-'poverty.ht.(
Poverty and 6earning+ 435C Digest
#http&''(((.ericdigests.org'199+'poverty.ht.(
'
C. nited !tates "overnment Definition of Poverty
#or t$e c%rrent poverty &%ide'ines( see: http:JJaspe+hhs+govJpovertyJ&'poverty+shtml
>ote: The follo-ing is from the Department of 1ealth and 1uman /ervices illustrating
the differences )et-een poverty thresholds and poverty guidelines+ We include their
e7amples of years used to illustrate these concepts+
%+ T14 11/ POH43T@ =.5D465>4/:+ One Hersion of the M.+/+N !ederal Poverty
Measure #from http:JJ---+mindfood+comJsustaina)leJfedpovertyguidelines+html
There are t-o slightly different versions of the federal poverty measure:
the poverty thresholdsF and
the poverty guidelines+
The poverty t$res$o'ds are the original version of the federal poverty measure+ They are
updated each year )y the Census Bureau #although they -ere originally developed )y
Mollie Orshansky of the /ocial /ecurity *dministration(+ The thresholds are used mainly
for statistical purposesGGfor instance preparing estimates of the num)er of *mericans in
poverty each year+
The poverty &%ide'ines are the other version of the federal poverty measure+ They are
issued each year in the /ederal Register )y the Department of 1ealth and 1uman
/ervices #11/(+ The guidelines are a simplification of the poverty thresholds for
administrative purposesGGfor instance determining financial eligi)ility for certain federal
programs+ #The full te7t of the /ederal Register notice -ith the %""? guidelines is
availa)le here+(
Programs using the guidelines #or percentage multiples of the guidelinesGGfor instance
%9& percent of the guidelines( in determining eligi)ility include 1ead /tart the !ood
/tamp Program the >ational /chool 6unch Program and the 6o-G5ncome 1ome 4nergy
*ssistance Program+ >ote that in general pu)lic assistance programs #*id to !amilies
-ith Dependent Children and /upplemental /ecurity 5ncome( do >OT use the poverty
guidelines in determining eligi)ility+
The poverty guidelines #unlike the poverty thresholds( are designated )y the year in
-hich they are issued+ !or instance the guidelines issued in March %""? are designated
as the %""? poverty guidelines+ 1o-ever the %""? 11/ poverty guidelines only reflect
price changes through calendar year %""0F accordingly they are appro7imately eCual to
the Census Bureau poverty thresholds for calendar year %""0+ #The %""0 thresholds
should )e issued in final form in /eptem)er or Octo)er %""?F a preliminary version of the
%""0 thresholds is availa)le no- from the Census Bureau+(
The poverty guidelines are sometimes loosely referred to as the Kfederal poverty levelK
)ut that term is am)iguous and should )e avoided in situations #e+g+ legislative or
administrative( -here precision is important+
0
!or information a)out ho- the poverty guidelines are used in a particular program
contact the federal #or other( office -hich is responsi)le for that program+
!or general information a)out the poverty guidelines #)ut >OT for information a)out
ho- they are used in a particular program( see =ordon M+ !isher KPoverty =uidelines
for %""$K Ma )ackground paper on the poverty guidelinesN 0ocial 0ec%rity 1%lletin Hol+
00 >o+ % /pring %""$ pp+ '9G'?F or contact =ordon !isher Office of the *ssistant
/ecretary for Planning and 4valuation 3oom '9<! 1umphrey Building .+/+
Department of 1ealth and 1uman /ervices $&& 5ndependence *venue /+W+
Washington D+C+ $&$&%GGtelephone: #$&$(?"&G?%'%F internet address:
gfisherOosaspe+dhhs+gov
!or information a)out the num)er of persons in poverty or for general information a)out
the Census Bureau #statistical( poverty thresholds contact the 5ncome Poverty and
6a)or !orce 5nformation /taff 114/ Division 3oom '%? 5verson Mall .+/+ Bureau of
the Census Washington D+C+ $&$99GGtelephone: #9&%(2?9G<02<F internet address: hhesG
infoOcensus+gov
!or historical ta)les sho-ing the poverty thresholds )ack to %"0" and the poverty
guidelines )ack to %"?0 see Ta)les 9+4% #poverty thresholds( and 9+4< #poverty
guidelines( in the most recent #nn%al 0tatistical 0%pple.ent of the 0ocial 0ec%rity
1%lletin+
!or information a)out ho- Mollie Orshansky developed the poverty thresholds during
the %"?&Ls see =ordon M+ !isher KThe Development and 1istory of the Poverty
ThresholdsK 0ocial 0ec%rity 1%lletin Hol+ 00 >o+ ' Winter %""$ pp+ 9G%'+ #!or the 20G
page unpu)lished paper from -hich this article -as condensed contact =ordon !isher at
the address given a)ove+(
!or historical information a)out unofficial poverty lines in the .nited /tates )et-een
%"&' and %"?0 contact =ordon !isher at the a)ove address+ #* 20Gpage paper and a ?G
page summary are availa)le+(
!or historical information a)out the income elasticity of the poverty lineGGthe tendency of
poverty lines to rise in real terms over time as the real income of the general population
risesGGcontact =ordon !isher at the a)ove address+ #* 2<Gpage paper and a "Gpage
summary are availa)leF they assem)le historical evidence from the .+/+ Britain Canada
and *ustralia+(
Jim says: =ordon !isher is the Dgo toE e7pert on poverty definitions and measurement+
/ee especially The Development of the Orshansky Poverty Thresholds and Their
/u)seCuent 1istory as the Official .+/+ Poverty Measure+ By =ordon M+ !isher+
Poverty Measurement Working Papers .+/+ Census Bureau+ May %""$ partially revised
/eptem)er %""2+ http:JJ---+census+govJhhesJpovmeasJpapersJorshansky+html
?
D. )ow t$e Cens%s B%rea% *eas%res Poverty
!rom $ttp+,,www.cens%s.&ov,$$es,poverty,povdef.$tm'
-ncome %sed to
comp%te poverty
stat%s+
Money income
5ncludes earnings unemployment compensation -orkersB
compensation /ocial /ecurity /upplemental /ecurity 5ncome
pu)lic assistance veteransB payments survivor )enefits
pension or retirement income interest dividends rents
royalties income from estates trusts educational assistance
alimony child support assistance from outside the household
and other miscellaneous sources+
>oncash )enefits #such as food stamps and housing
su)sidies( do not count+
Before ta7es+
47cludes capital gains or losses+
5f a person lives -ith a family add up the income of all
family mem)ers+ #>onGrelatives such as housemates do not
count+(
*eas%re of need
(poverty
t$res$o'ds)+
Poverty thresholds are the dollar amounts used to determine
poverty status
4ach person or family is assigned one out of '< possi)le
poverty thresholds
Thresholds vary according to:
/i;e of the family
*ges of the mem)ers
The same thresholds are used throughout the .nited /tates
#do not vary geographically(
.pdated annually for inflation using the Consumer Price
5nde7 for *ll .r)an Consumers #CP5G.(+
*lthough the thresholds in some sense reflect families
needs
they are intended for use as a statistical yardstick not
as a complete description of -hat people and families
need to live
2
many government aid programs use a different poverty
measure the Department of 1ealth and 1uman
/ervices #11/( poverty guidelines or multiples
thereof
Poverty thresholds -ere originally derived in %"?9G
%"?'using:
.+/+ Department of *griculture food )udgets designed
for families under economic stress
Data a)out -hat portion of their income families spent
on food
Comp%tation
5f total family income is less than the threshold
appropriate for that family
the family is in poverty
all family mem)ers have the same poverty status
for individuals -ho do not live -ith family
mem)ers their o-n income is compared -ith the
appropriate threshold
5f total family income eCuals or is greater than the threshold
the family #or unrelated individual( is not in poverty
E.amp'e+
!amily * has five mem)ers: t-o children their mother
father and greatGaunt+
Their threshold -as P$$&&2 dollars in $&&$+ #/ee poverty
thresholds for $&&$(
/uppose the mem)ersL incomes in $&&$ -ere:
Mother: $10,000
Father: 5,000
Great-aunt: 10,000
First child: 0
Second child: 0
Total family income: $25,000
Compare total family income -ith their familyLs threshold+
5ncome J Threshold Q P$0&&& J P$$&&2 Q %+%'
<
/ince their income -as greater than their threshold !amily
* is not Kin povertyK according to the official definition+
The income divided )y the threshold is called the /atio of
-ncome to Poverty+
!amily *Ls ratio of income to poverty -as %+%'+
The difference in dollars )et-een family income and the
familyLs poverty threshold is called the -ncome Deficit #for
families in poverty( or -ncome !%rp'%s #for families a)ove
poverty(
GG !amily *Bs income surplus -as P$""9 #or P$0&&& G
P$$&&2(+
Peop'e w$ose
poverty stat%s
cannot 0e
determined+
.nrelated individuals under age %0 #such as foster children(
income Cuestions are asked of people age %0 and older
if someone is under age %0 and not living -ith a family
mem)er -e do not kno- their income
since -e cannot determine their poverty status they are
e7cluded from the Dpoverty universeE #ta)le totals(
People in:
institutional group Cuarters #such as prisons or nursing
homes(
college dormitories
military )arracks
living situations -ithout conventional housing #and -ho
are not in shelters(
A%t$ority 0e$ind
officia' poverty
meas%re+
The official measure of poverty -as esta)lished )y the:
Office of Management and Budget #OMB( in /tatistical
Policy Directive %'+
To )e used )y federal agencies in their statistical -ork+
=overnment aid programs do not have to use the
official poverty measure as eligi)ility criteria+
Many government aid programs use a different poverty
measure the Department of 1ealth and 1uman /ervices
#11/( poverty guidelines or variants thereof
"
4ach aid program may define eligi)ility differently
Official poverty data come from the Current Population
/urvey #CP/( *nnual /ocial and 4conomic /upplement
#*/4C( formerly called the *nnual Demographic /upplement
or simply the March /upplement+
)istory+
DThe Development of the Orshansky Thresholds and Their
/u)seCuent 1istory as the Official .+/+ Poverty MeasureE )y
=ordon M+ !isher
=o to Poverty Statistics
R1ast /evised+ September 30, 2003
See also Computations for the $&&' *nnual .pdate of the 11/ Poverty =uidelines for the
'< Contiguous /tates and the District of Colum)ia
2$res$o'ds and "%ide'ines
!rom 5S3SP http:JJ---+ssc+-isc+eduJirpJfaCsJfaC2+htm
3$at is t$e difference 0etween poverty t$res$o'ds and poverty &%ide'ines4
/ince Decem)er %"?0 there have )een t-o slightly different versions of the federal
poverty measure: poverty thresholds and poverty guidelines+
2overty thresholds are the statistical version of the poverty measure and are issued )y the
Census Bureau+ They are used for calculating the num)er of persons in poverty in the
.nited /tates or in states and regions+
2overty g%idelines are the administrative version of the poverty measure and are issued
)y the Department of 1ealth and 1uman /ervices #11/(+ They are a simplification of the
poverty thresholds and are used in determining financial eligi)ility for certain federal
programs+
* ma,or reason for issuing guidelines distinct from the poverty thresholds is that the
thresholds for a particular calendar year are not pu)lished in final form until late summer
of the follo-ing calendar year+ 5f poverty guidelines -ere not issued 11/ and other
agencies -ould have to use t-oGyearGold data in determining eligi)ility for programs
during the first half of each year+
Both poverty thresholds and poverty guidelines are updated annually for price changes
using the Consumer Price 5nde7 for *ll .r)an Consumers #CP5G.(+
The 11/ poverty guidelines are used in setting eligi)ility criteria for a num)er of federal
programs+ /ome programs actually use a percentage multiple of the guidelines such as
%$0 percent %0& percent or %<0 percent+ This is not the result of a single coherent planF
%&
instead it stems from decisions made at different times )y different congressional
committees or federal agencies+
/ome e7amples of federal programs that use the guidelines in determining eligi)ility are:
-n ))!+ Community /ervices Block =rant 1ead /tart 6o-G5ncome
1ome 4nergy *ssistance ChildrenLs 1ealth 5nsurance Program
-n t$e Department of A&ric%'t%re+ !ood /tamps /pecial
/upplemental >utrition Program for Women 5nfants and Children
#W5C( the >ational /chool 6unch and /chool Breakfast programs
-n t$e Department of Ener&y+ Weatheri;ation *ssistance
-n t$e Department of 1a0or+ Jo) Corps /enior Community /ervice
4mployment Program >ational !arm-orker Jo)s Program
-n t$e 1e&a' !ervices Corporation+ 6egal services for the poor
Certain relatively recent provisions of *edicaid use the poverty guidelinesF ho-ever the
rest of that program #accounting for roughly threeGCuarters of Medicaid eligi)ility
determinations( does not use the guidelines+
Ma,or meansGtested programs that do >OT use the poverty guidelines in determining
eligi)ility include Temporary *ssistance for >eedy !amilies #and its predecessor *id to
!amilies -ith Dependent Children( /upplemental /ecurity 5ncome the 4arned 5ncome
Ta7 Credit program the Department of 1ousing and .r)an DevelopmentLs meansGtested
housing assistance programs and the /ocial /ervices Block =rant+
/ome state and local governments have chosen to use the federal poverty guidelines in
some of their o-n programs and activities+ 47amples include state health insurance
programs financial guidelines for child support enforcement and determination of legal
indigence for court purposes+ /ome private companies such as utilities telephone
companies and pharmaceutical companies have also adopted the guidelines in setting
eligi)ility for their services to lo-Gincome persons+
Note: 3he .ost recent !R2 research on the poverty .eas%re can be fo%nd by searching the !R2 site
fro. the ho.e page.
This description revised July $&&& is )ased upon =ordon M+ !isher LDisseminating the
*dministrative Hersion of the !ederal Poverty Measure in the %""&sL paper presented June ? %""?
at the annual meeting of the /ociological Practice *ssociation *rlington Ha+ =ordon !isher a
program analyst in the Office of the *ssistant /ecretary for Planning and 4valuation in the
Department of 1ealth and 1uman /ervices has )een responsi)le since %"<$ for preparing the
annual update of the poverty guidelines+
%%
Poverty /esearc$
The follo-ing organi;ations have received support from */P4 to conduct and report on
research related to poverty:
2$e -nstit%te for /esearc$ on Poverty at the .niversity of Wisconsin
2$e 5oint Center for Poverty /esearc$ of >orth-estern .niversity and the .niversity
of Chicago
2$e 6ationa' Poverty Center at the .niversity of Michigan
2$e 7ent%cky Center for Poverty /esearc$ at the .niversity of Aentucky
2$e /P/- /%ra' Poverty /esearc$ Center at the .niversity of Missouri
The Cens%s B%rea% is the federal agency that prepares statistics on the num)er of people
in poverty in the .nited /tates+
#!rom http:JJaspe+hhs+govJpovertyJinde7+shtml June $&&'(
%$
E. -ncome 1eve's %sed for !tate 2a. Credit Pro&rams
!tate Earned -ncome 2a. Credits
-ncome e'i&i0i'ity criteria

-ncome e'i&i0i'ity
r%'es same as for
federa' E-2C
(899:) ;A<
-ncome 'imit for =>
parent fami'y w, =
?%a'ifyin& c$i'd
(899:) ;A<
-ncome 'imit for =>
parent fami'y w, 8 or
more ?%a'ifyin&
c$i'dren (899:) ;A<
A'a0ama >o state credit >o state credit >o state credit
A'aska >o state credit >o state credit >o state credit
Ari@ona >o state credit >o state credit >o state credit
Arkansas >o state credit >o state credit >o state credit
Ca'ifornia >o state credit >o state credit >o state credit
Co'orado
Credit suspended
for this year
Credit suspended for
this year
Credit suspended for this
year
Connectic%t >o state credit >o state credit >o state credit
De'aware >o state credit >o state credit >o state credit
District of
Co'%m0ia
@es P$"???Jyear M%N P99?"$Jyear M$N
#'orida >o state credit >o state credit >o state credit
"eor&ia >o state credit >o state credit >o state credit
)awaii >o state credit >o state credit >o state credit
-da$o >o state credit >o state credit >o state credit
-''inois @es P$"???Jyear M%N P99?"$Jyear M$N
-ndiana @es P$"???Jyear M%N P99?"$Jyear M$N
-owa @es P$"???Jyear M%N P99?"$Jyear M$N
7ansas @es P$"???Jyear M%N P99?"$Jyear M$N
7ent%cky >o state credit >o state credit >o state credit
1o%isiana >o state credit >o state credit >o state credit
*aine @es P$"???Jyear M%N P99?"$Jyear M$N
*ary'and @es P$"???Jyear M%N P99?"$Jyear M$N
*assac$%setts @es P$"???Jyear M%N P99?"$Jyear M$N
%9
*ic$i&an >o state credit >o state credit >o state credit
*innesota @es P$"???Jyear M%N P99?"$Jyear M$N
*ississippi >o state credit >o state credit >o state credit
*isso%ri >o state credit >o state credit >o state credit
*ontana >o state credit >o state credit >o state credit
6e0raska >o state credit >o state credit >o state credit
6evada >o state credit >o state credit >o state credit
6ew
)amps$ire
>o state credit >o state credit >o state credit
6ew 5ersey >o P$&&&&Jyear M9N P$&&&&Jyear M9N
6ew *e.ico >o P$$&&&Jyear P$$&&&Jyear
6ew Aork @es P$"???Jyear M%N P99?"$Jyear M$N
6ort$ Caro'ina >o state credit >o state credit >o state credit
6ort$ Dakota >o state credit >o state credit >o state credit
O$io >o state credit >o state credit >o state credit
Ok'a$oma @es P$"???Jyear M%N P99?"$Jyear M$N
Ore&on @es P$"???Jyear M%N P99?"$Jyear M$N
Pennsy'vania >o state credit >o state credit >o state credit
/$ode -s'and @es P$"???Jyear M%N P99?"$Jyear M$N
!o%t$ Caro'ina >o state credit >o state credit >o state credit
!o%t$ Dakota >o state credit >o state credit >o state credit
2ennessee >o state credit >o state credit >o state credit
2e.as >o state credit >o state credit >o state credit
ta$ >o state credit >o state credit >o state credit
Bermont @es P$"???Jyear M%N P99?"$Jyear M$N
Bir&inia >o state credit >o state credit >o state credit
3as$in&ton >o state credit >o state credit >o state credit
3est Bir&inia >o state credit >o state credit >o state credit
3isconsin @es P$"???Jyear M%N P99?"$Jyear M$N
3yomin& >o state credit >o state credit >o state credit
%'
*)ove data from http:JJ---+nccp+orgJ-i;ardJ-i;ard+cgi ?J$&&' cJo >ational Center for
Children in Poverty #>CCP(+
Other definitions that vary from state to state:
1ivin& 3a&e !%ccesses+ A Compi'ation of 1ivin& 3a&e Po'icies on t$e Books
Prepared )y 6iving Wage 3esource Center %'<? Dorchester *ve Boston M* &$%$$
phone ?%2G2'&G"0&&+ 6ist of the %$% city and county campaigns from January $&&% to
current+
http:JJ---+living-agecampaign+orgJvictories+php
/ee also Wider Opportunities for Women at http:JJ---+-o-online+orgJ
!or general info on 45TC see the California 1uman >eedsB pdf file on 45TC+
http:JJ---+chn+orgJpdfJi)eitc+pdf
/ee >DO6+org the >e- Democrats Online -hich offers a state and local
play)ook on social family and housing policy including earned income ta7
credits+ http:JJ---+ndol+orgJndolTci+cfmUcontentidQ9?&2VkaidQ%9"Vsu)idQ$22
Center on Budget and Policy Priorities+ * 1*>D .P: 1o- /tate 4arned 5ncome
Ta7 Credits 1elp Working !amilies 4scape Poverty in $&&9+ /ummary )y
>icholas Johnson Joseph .o)rera and Bo) Wahradnik+
Welfare 5nformation >et-ork+ 5ssue >otes Hol+ ' >o+ ' *pril $&&&+ The
4arned 5ncome Ta7 Credit+ By Pamela !riedman+
S Ore&on E-C+ /ee Ta7Credit3esources+org at
http:JJ---+ta7creditresources+orgJpages+cfmU
content5DQ9"Vpage5DQ%$Vsu)pagesQyesVdynamic5DQ?$$
%( The Child Trends 3esearch Brief suggests Dfve purposes that social indicators can
serve: description, monitoring, setting goals, increasing accountability, and
refective practice(which functions like an internal evaluation) !he brief also
sounds some cautionary notes about the misuse of social indicators "or e#ample, it
suggests that it is inappropriate to use these statistical markers to determine cause
and e$ect !hus, social indicators can tell you that the rate of binge drinking among
%merican teens has gone up over the past decade but, alone, they can&t tell you that
a particular factor or factors caused this increase
$( The Child 5ndicator /pring $&&' Hol+ ' 5ssue >o+ 0+ Pu)lication X$&&'G&2 5/B> X
&G"9$90"G&<G?+ Developing a Set of Key National Indicators for the Nation
http:JJ---+childtrends+orgJ!ilesJChild5ndicator/pring&'+pdf
%0
9( Jo)Watch+org http:JJ,o)-atch+orgJ 4conomic Policy 5nstitute+ Jo)Watch Bulletin:
May $% $&&'+ Tracking ,o)s and -ages+
C) .nited WayBs /tate of Caring 5nde7 tracks social economic and employment trends
from %""& to $&&& provides critical information on pressing social issues that are
common across the country+ The tool is used to highlight areas of success for each state
and the nationF identify areas that need improvementF compare current conditions -ith
past performanceF and compare the conditions in any one state -ith those in other states
or the nation+ /ee http:JJnational+united-ay+orgJstateofcaringJlist+cfm+ /ee *ppendi7 *+
0( The 6evy 5nstitute of Bard College pu)lishes the Measure of 4conomic WellGBeing:
Concept Measurement and !indings: .nited /tates %"<" and $&&&+ #!e)ruary $&&'(
65M4W is informed )y the vie- that three key institutions : market state and household
: mediate the access of the mem)ers of the household to the goods and services produced
in a modern market economy+ By 4d-ard >+ Wolff *,it Wacharias *sena Caner+
?( cJo Chillicothe Constitution Tri)une Chillicothe MO ./*+ * /imulation sho-s
officials reality of poverty+ G*)out ?& participants e7perienced the virtual realities of
poverty in a uniCue poverty simulation conducted Thursday )y =reen 1ills Community
*ction *gency+ http:JJ---+chillicothene-s+comJarticlesJ$&&'J&0J$?Jne-sJne-s9+t7t /ee
all stories on this topic at:
http:JJne-s+google+comJne-sU
ieQutf<VoeQutf<VpersistQ%VnumQ9&VhlQenVclientQgoogleVne-sclusterurlQhttp:JJ--
-+chillicothene-s+comJarticlesJ$&&'J&0J$?Jne-sJne-s9+t7t
2( CJo the Maryville Daily !orum Maryville MO+ *rea citi;ens meet to discuss poverty
concerns+ More than ?92&&& Missourians are living at or )elo- federal poverty level
according to the stateLs $&&& census+ *n additional "<"2&$ individuals have incomes ,ust
a)ove the poverty level+ These total more than %+? million Missourians struggling to meet
their )asic needs+ *rticle )y 3ochelle /himak+
/ee http:JJ---+maryvilledailyforum+comJarticlesJ$&&'J&0J$?Jne-sJne-s$+t7t
<( cJo @ahoo >e-s press release ./* May $?+ >ational Church 6eaders /ign .nity
/tatement on Overcoming Poverty ++ 1undreds of people gathered Monday evening in the
Washington >ational Cathedral for a D/ervice of .nity to Overcome Poverty+E Then oneG
)yGone 4vangelical Catholic Mainline Protestant Pentecostal Black 6atino and *sian
national church leaders and heads of faithG)ased organi;ations signed a statement of unity
during a po-erful and moving ceremony on )ehalf of the 90 million people in the .+/+
living in poverty+ /ee http:JJ)i;+yahoo+comJprne-sJ&'&0$?Jdc-&'"T%+html or
http:JJne-s+google+comJne-sU
ieQutf<VoeQutf<VpersistQ%VnumQ9&VhlQenVclientQgoogleVne-sclusterurlQhttp:JJ)i;+
yahoo+comJprne-sJ&'&0$?Jdc-&'"T%+html
%?
"( cJo /cience Daily+ Madison W5+ /tudy /ho-s That =enes Can Protect Aids *gainst
Poverty+ G !or children gro-ing up poor money isnLt the only solution to overcoming the
challenges of poverty+ *ccording to a ne- study the genes and -arm support received
from parents also can )uffer these children against many of the cognitive and )ehavioral
pro)lems for -hich poverty puts them at risk+ The findings are pu)lished in the May
issue of the ,ournal Child Development+
/ee http:JJ---+sciencedaily+comJreleasesJ$&&'J&0J&'&0$?&?''$%+htm or see
http:JJne-s+google+comJne-sU
ieQutf<VoeQutf<VpersistQ%VnumQ9&VhlQenVclientQgoogleVne-sclusterurlQhttp:JJ--
-+sciencedaily+comJreleasesJ$&&'J&0J&'&0$?&?''$%+htm
Measures /pecific to !ields
G health
G aging
G education
G children
G seniors
etc+
%2
#. nited !tates D Ot$er Or&ani@ations
These organi;ations either have their o-n definition of poverty or incorporate the
.+/+ !ederal definition into their measures:
nited 3ay of America
http:JJnational+united-ay+orgJ or
---+united-ay+org
.nited Way
2&% >orth !airfa7 /t+
*le7andria H* $$9%'
#2&9( <9?G2%%$
3or'd Co%nci' of C$%rc$es
http:JJ---+-ccGcoe+orgJ-ccJenglish+html
3or'd Co%nci' of C$%rc$es
%0& route de !erney
P+O+ Bo7 $%&&
%$%% =eneva $ /-it;erland
Tel+: #Y'% $$( 2"% ?%%%
!a7: #Y'% $$( 2"% &9?%
(Cat$o'ic) Campai&n for )%man Deve'opment
http:JJ---+ncc)uscc+orgJcchdJ
Catholic Campaign for 1uman
Development
.nited /tates Conference of Catholic
Bishops
9$%% 'th /treet >+4+ Washington
DC $&&%2G%%"' Ph #$&$( 0'%G9&&&
Cat$o'ic !ocia' !ervices (Canada)
http:JJ---+catholicsocialservices+a)+caJhomeTcss+asp
Catholic /ocial /ervices
<<%0 : "" /treet
4dmonton *l)erta Canada T?4 9H9
6utheran /ocial /ervices #numerous local chapters national
contact not found(
%<
". -nternationa' Or&ani@ations
.nited >ations
http:JJ---+un+orgJenglishJ
.> 1eadCuarters
!irst *venue at '?th /treet
>e- @ork >@ %&&%2
.>4/CO #.nited >ations 4ducational
/cientific and Cultural Organi;ation(
$ttp+,,www.%nesco.or&
2 place de !ontenoy
2090$
Paris &2 /P
!rance
O3:
% rue Miollis
2029$ Paris Cede7 %0
!rance
"enera' p$: Y99 #&(% '0 ?< %& &&
#a. : Y99 #&(% '0 ?2 %? "&
2e'e.: $&''?% ParisF $2&?&$ Paris
World Bank
http:JJ---+-orld)ank+orgJ
)ead?%arters
The World Bank
%<%< 1 /treet >+W+
Washington DC $&'99 .+/+*+
tel: #$&$( '29G%&&&
fa7: #$&$( '22G?9"%
5nternational Monetary !und
http:JJ---+imf+orgJ
5nternational Monetary !und
2&& %"th /treet >+W+
Washington D+C+ $&'9%
Tel Operator: #$&$( ?$9G2&&&
!a7: #$&$( ?$9G'??%
World 1ealth Organi;ation
http:JJ---+-ho+intJenJ
*venue *ppia $&
%$%% =eneva $2
/-it;erland
Telephone: #Y '% $$( 2"% $% %%
!acsimile #fa7(: #Y '% $$( 2"% 9%%%
Tele7: '%0 '%?
Telegraph: .>5/*>T4 =4>4H*
4Gmail: infO-ho+int
Organi;ation for 4conomic CoGoperation and
Development #O4CD(
http:JJ---+oecd+orgJhomeJ
O4CD
$ rue *ndrZ Pascal
!G20220 Paris Cede7 %?
!rance
Tel+ : Y99 %+'0+$'+<$+&&
O4CD Washington Center
$&&% 6 /treet >W /uite ?0&
Washington DC $&&9?G'"$$
%"
). *eas%rin& "'o0a' Poverty
!rom http:JJ---+infoplease+comJipaJ*&"&<2?$+html
Traditionally poverty has )een measured )y the lack of a minimum income #or
consumption level( necessary to meet )asic needs+ Measuring poverty on a glo)al scale
reCuires esta)lishing a uniform poverty level across e7tremely divergent economies
-hich can result in only rough comparisons+ The World Bank has defined the
international poverty line as .+/+ P% and P$ per day in %""9 Purchasing Po-er Parity
#PPP(
%
-hich ad,usts for differences in the prices of goods and services )et-een
countries+ The P% per day level is generally used for the least developed countries
primarily *fricanF the P$GperGday level is used for middle income economies such as
those of 4ast *sia and 6atin *merica+ By this measure in $&&9 there -ere %+$ )illion out
of the developing -orldLs '+< )illion people living on P% per day -hile another $+< )illion
-ere living on less than P$ per day
$
+ 5n $&&9 the richest fifth of the -orldLs population
received <0[ of the total -orld income -hile the poorest fifth received ,ust %+'[ of the
glo)al income+
The P%G and P$GperGday measures offer a convenient al)eit crude -ay to Cuantify glo)al
poverty+ 5n the last several decades poverty research has adopted a )roader
multidimensional approach taking into account a variety of social indicators in addition
to income+ The .>Ls 1uman Poverty 5nde7 for e7ample factors in illiteracy
malnutrition among children early death poor health care and poor access to safe -ater+
Hulnera)ility to famine or flooding lack of sanitation e7posure to disease a diet poor in
nutrients and the a)sence of education are as much the signs of poverty as material
deprivation+ Providing the poor -ith )asic social services and infrastructure -ould in
many cases alleviate poverty to a greater e7tent than simply a rise in income level+
1. Purchasing power parity (PPP), as defned by the World Bank, is a method of measuring the
relative purchasing power of diferent countries currencies over the same types of goods and
services. Because goods and services may cost more in one country than in another, PPP allows
us to make more accurate comparisons of standards of living across countries.
2. The original $1 per day was based on 1985 PPP estimates; currently the poverty line is based
on 1993 PPP estimates, which has raised the amount from $1.00 to $1.08. As a convention, $1 a
day is still widely used when discussing income poverty.
See also: Gap Between Rich and Poor: World Income Inequality; Economic
Statistics; World's Poorest Countries, 2003.
$&
-nternationa' D Ot$er 6ations
=. A#/-CA
---+*ll*frica+com+
POH43T@ is the Dilemma of a People+
>ot a fe- people see poverty as a disease that must )e eradicated+ What can
policy makers and civil society groups do to make this possi)leU /ee
http:JJallafrica+comJstoriesJ$&&'&0$?&"&'+html or see all stories on this topic at:
http:JJne-s+google+comJne-sU
ieQutf<VoeQutf<VpersistQ%VnumQ9&VhlQenVclientQgoogleVne-sclusterurlQhttp:JJalla
frica+comJstoriesJ$&&'&0$?&"&'+html
8. CA*BOD-A +
The purpose of this report is to provide an updated poverty profile of Cam)odia using
ne-ly availa)le data from the %""2 Cam)odia /ocioG4conomic /urvey #C/4/(+ The
)aseline poverty profile -as prepared )y The World Bank using data from the %""9G%""'
/ocioG4conomic /urvey of Cam)odia #Prescott and Pradhan %""2(+ /ee
http:JJ---+un+org+khJundpJpovertynetJpdfTfilesJPovertyTprofileTofTCam)odiaJPovertyT
profileTofTCam)odia+pdf
:. CA6ADA
The !raser 5nstitute+
'th !loor %22& Burrard /treet
Hancouver BC Canada H?J 9=2
Tel: #?&'( ?<<G&$$%
!a7: #?&'( ?<<G<09"
Calgary Tel: %G<??G2%?G2%20
Toronto Tel: #'%?( 9?9G?020
infoOfraserinstitute+ca
Book Orders: %G<&&G??0G900< e7t+ 0<& salesOfraserinstitute+ca
4vents: %G<&&G??0G900< e7t+ 02< eventsOfraserinstitute+ca
/ee http:JJ---+fraserinstitute+caJsharedJreadmore+aspUs>avQp)VidQ$%?
*nd Measuring Poverty in Canada Part %
*nd Measuring Poverty in Canada Part $
*nd Measuring Poverty in Canada Part 9
By Chris /arlo+
'+ C15>*
C15>* -elcomed delegates to poverty reduction conference in \inhua China+
/1*>=1*5 May $? #\inhuanet( GG * )anCuet -as held here Wednesday for delegates
to the =lo)al Conference on /caling .p Poverty 3eduction initiated )y the World Bank+
/ee http:JJne-s+7inhuanet+comJenglishJ$&&'G&0J$?JcontentT%'"$'<"+htm /ee all stories
$%
http:JJne-s+google+comJne-sU
ieQutf<VoeQutf<VpersistQ%VnumQ9&VhlQenVclientQgoogleVne-sclusterurlQhttp:JJne-
s+7inhuanet+comJenglishJ$&&'G0J$?JcontentT%'"$'<"+htm
E. E6"1A6D
!ave t$e C$i'dren+
#http:JJ---+savethechildren+org+ukJscukJ,spJ-here-e-orkJcountry+,spU
uk--QukVsectionQenglandVsu)sectionQVpagelangQenVpageQ'(
The .A is the fourth richest country in the -orld yet % in 9 children are living in
poverty according to the =overnmentBs o-n statistics+ 5n poorer families children have
higher accident and in,ury rates lo-er )irth-eights and -orse nutrition G and more than
%&&&&& of them are homeless+
The .A =overnment is committed to eradicating child poverty )y $&$& and /ave
the Children in 4ngland is identifying -hich children are the poorest and not getting
)asic services such as education play opportunities or a decent environment in -hich to
live+
We are consulting -ith children and young people in their communities to ensure
that their e7periences and vie-s are taken seriously )y those developing antiGpoverty
programmes e+g+ in community environmental reGgeneration pro,ects in ? areas of
4ngland and -ith homeless and disa)led young people in 6ondon+
#*lso insert the findings of the surveys they do of pu)lic opinion(
F. E/OPE
4*P>: 4uropean *nti Poverty >et-ork+
/ee http:JJ---+eapn+orgJdefaultTen+html
G. #-61A6D
!ee $ttp+,,&'o0a'.fin'and.fi,en&'is$,poverty,
DPoverty reduction is the main goal of !inlandBs development policy+E
The guiding principles of !inlandBs development policy are descri)ed in the
development policy programme approved )y the =overnment of !inland in !e)ruary
$&&'+ The eradication of e7treme poverty glo)ally is the main goal of this programme+
Development policy is a part of !inlandBs !oreign Policy )y -hich !inland
strives for coherence in all the areas in its international cooperation and domestic policies
that influence the position of the developing countries+ /uch areas are e+g+ security
human rights trade environment agriculture forestry health social immigration and
information society Gpolicies+
Development cooperation is one important instrument in !inlandBs development
policy )y -hich a strengthening of the ena)ling environment for development can )e
promoted in the poorest countries+ Aey issues for !inland is to strengthen the private
sector investments and trade opportunities in the poorest countries and thus support
economic gro-th in the poorest countries+
$$
2$e 0asic o0jectives of #in'andHs deve'opment po'icy are+
* commitment to the values and goals of the .> Millennium Declaration
* )road national commitment and coherence in all policy sectors
* commitment to a rightG)ased approach+ This means that individual rights agreed
upon in the international human rights agreements are taken as the starting point
in !inlandBs development policy
The principle of sustaina)le development
* )road conceptual understanding of development finance
Partnerships for development+ Both national and international partnerships
)et-een the pu)lic and private sector as -ell as -ith the civil society are
important reCuirements for development
3especting the right to selfGdetermination and responsi)ility of the developing
countries and their citi;ens+ The contri)utions of !inland are directed to support
the efforts of the developing countries themselves
6ong term commitment and transparency+ The rationale )ehind !inlandBs
development policies and actions are long term commitment predicta)ility
transparency and openness a)out its actions and plans

Eradication of e.treme poverty is t$e main &oa' of #in'andHs deve'opment po'icy
4radication of e7treme poverty is the main goal of !inlandBs development policy+ The
achievement of this goal is supported )y the prevention of glo)al environmental
pro)lems promotion of eCuality human rights and democracy promotion of glo)al
security and promotion of economic dialogue -hich formed the policy frame-ork for
!inlandBs development coGoperation already in the %""&s+
5n supporting efforts to eradicate e7treme poverty !inland emphasi;es the creation
of glo)al partnerships according to the 6 *i''enni%m Dec'aration+ This implies that
developing countries commit themselves to poverty reduction and to the development of
their o-n societies+ The industrial countries -ill on the other hand commit themselves to
support these processes through development coGoperation trade and private sector
investments+
5n the Millennium Declaration the international community has committed itself
to common development goals+ The Millennium Declaration includes ei&$t deve'opment
&oa's and o),ectives -hich achievement )y the year $&%0 !inland has committed itself
to+ The seven first development goals include agreements on the main challenges on an
individual and country level+ =oal num)er eight focuses on ho- the industrial countries
and the donor community should participate in securing the needed resources and to
promote an ena)ling environment for development+
updated $'+9+$&&'
$9
I. "E/*A6A
#%( =TWBs Poverty 3eduction Pro,ect+
/ee http:JJ---+gt;+deJforumTarmutJenglishJc&0+htm and see Poverty G World
Bank and .>DP Concepts+ =TW+ 4sch)orn !e)ruary %""" #pdf $? kB(
#$( Poverty in 3estern and Eastern "ermany+ A Detai'ed Comparison.
#rom ] D5W Berlin and /pringerGHerlag+ 4conomic Bulletin $J$&&9
A%t$ors+ Bir&it Otto and 2$omas !ied'er
5n the time period spanning %""$ to $&&& -e -itnessed a lo- income ineCuality;=< in
eastern =ermany G a situation -hich remained essentially unchanged over the years+ *t
the same time fe-er people in eastern =ermany than in the -est -ere affected )y
poverty G relative to a Lregionally definedL poverty line+ 5n )oth the east and the -est
around half the poverty phases that individuals entered during the survey period had
come to an end one year later+ 5n -estern =ermany people -ho have e7perienced poverty
in the past -ere found to )e more likely to reGenter poverty than their counterparts in
eastern =ermany+ 5n )oth regions ho-ever the likelihood of rene-ed poverty decreases
-ith every additional year not spent in poverty+ /ocioGpolitical measures to alleviate
poverty therefore ought not to )e aimed e7clusively at li)erating people from poverty
)ut also at reducing #reG(entry rates into poverty+
.sing data from the /ocioG4conomic Panel #/O4P(;8< -e e7amine the development of
poverty rates over time poverty duration as -ell as poverty entry and e7it rates+;:< The
term LpoorL refers to individuals -hose income is less than half of the average income of
the population living in private households+;C< The income used is disposa)le income;E<
also referred to as net household income+ * needsG)ased -eighting is used to translate
this into a modified perGcapita income value #LeCuivalent incomeL( making the income
situation of individuals in differentGsi;ed households compara)le+;F<
The development of poverty -as e7amined )y means of t-o different indicators #see
)o7(+ The poverty rate esta)lishes the proportion of poor individuals -ithin the
population -hereas the poverty intensity is an inde7;G< -hich evaluates the poverty rate
in relation to the average poverty gap+ The poverty gap is the value reflecting the
respective distance )et-een income and poverty lineF it is sensitive to changes in the
income situation of the poor+
Definitions of t$e terms poverty rate( poverty &ap and poverty intensity
The poverty rate is defined as the percentage of the population -hose family income falls
)elo- an a)solute level the poverty line+ The poverty gap descri)es the income deficit
for those living in poverty that is the amount of money that -ould )e reCuired to lift all
poor families to the poverty line+ The poverty intensity accounts for the num)er -ho are
poor the depth of poverty and the ineCuality among the poor+ Poverty intensity gives the
strongest -eighting to income distances e7perienced )y the poorest of the poor+ These
three indicators can )e calculated using the formula:
$'
-here n stands for the num)er of individuals o)served 4 for the num)er of poor people
y for the eCuivalent income of poor individuals and 5 for the poverty line and 6 is a
-eighting factor+
5f 6 is eCual to ;ero -e get the poverty rate+ 5f 6 is eCual to one the resulting figure -ill
represent the poverty gap #-here)y the sum of all individual poverty gaps is divided )y
the num)er of o)served persons(+ When calculating poverty intensity 6 is normally given
a value of t-o #at all events a value -hich is larger than one(+
This article only provides information on the poverty rate and poverty intensity+
Poverty in "ermany
* comparison of the years %""$ and $&&& reveals that =ermany e7perienced an increase
in the poverty rate from %&+0[ to %9[ #cf+ ta)le %(+ There -as ho-ever relatively strong
fluctuation in the rate during this period -ith no clear trend apparent to indicate
increased poverty intensity+ 5n -estern =ermany the poverty rate sa- a slight rise and
poverty intensity like-ise rose marginally against the %""$ level+ With values of ?[ to
"[ the poverty rates for eastern =ermany -ere considera)ly lo-er than those measured
in -estern =ermany+;I< Poverty intensity too -as considera)ly less severe in eastern
=ermany in %""$ #%+0( and in $&&& #%+%( than in the -estern part of the country #$+< and
9+& respectively(+ .sing the regional poverty line the income situation of poor people in
eastern =ermany -as found to )e more advantageous than that of poor people in -estern
=ermany given that the poverty gap for the former group -as distinctly smaller than that
for poor people in -estern =ermany+
!ee
$ttp+,,www.diw.de,en&'is$,prod%kte,p%0'ikationen,0%''etin,docs,e09:,n9:J98fe0J:.$
tm'K)EAD>=
to view+
Ta)le %: Poverty 3ates and Poverty 5ntensity in =ermany
%
%""$ to $&&&
Ta)le $: Poverty 3ates and Poverty 5ntensity in =ermany
%
%""$ to $&&&
Ta)le 9: Duration of Poverty Within the Period %""$ to $&&&
%
Ta)le ': Duration of Poverty and Pro)a)ility of 6eaving 5t Behind
Ta)le 0: Duration of >onGpoverty and Pro)a)ility of 5ts 4nding
The picture for eastern =ermany changes -hen the figures are )ased on the national
average income rather than on the regional average+ .sing this method of calculation the
scope of poverty in eastern =ermany from %""$ to %""' -as in the pro7imity of that
ascertained for -estern =ermany #cf+ ta)le $( -ith one in ten people in either region
afflicted )y poverty during this period+ .ntil %""" the poverty rate for eastern =ermany
#)et-een "[ and %&[( remained consistently lo-er than that for -estern =ermany
#)et-een %$[ and %9[(+ 5n the year $&&& the poverty rate -as the same in )oth regions
again #%9[(+ This is remarka)le for the fact that the average economic capacity;L< of
private households during this period -as lo-er in eastern than in -estern =ermany+
Based on the national poverty line poverty intensity in eastern =ermany averaged around
%+2+ 5n spite of the lo- level of economic capacity in the eastern part of the country
$0
poverty intensity #for all years e7amined( -as only marginally higher than -hen it -as
)ased on the regional poverty line for eastern =ermany+#Ta)le $(
2$e !tr%ct%re of t$e poverty e.perienced
Ta)le 9 depicts the proportion of =ermanyLs population that lived in poverty during the
survey period either for one year for several years;=9< or long term #for nine years(+ The
figures also ena)le us to deduce the proportion of the population not affected )y poverty
at all during this period+ !rom %""$ to $&&& some %<[ of the population of eastern
=ermany and $9[ of the population of -estern =ermany e7perienced poverty during at
least one of these years+ These figures are significantly higher than the poverty rate for
any one specific point in time+ While "[ of eastern =ermans and <[ of -estern =ermans
e7perienced oneGtime poverty #one year of poverty( "[ of the population of eastern
=ermany and %9[ of -estern =ermans e7perienced several years of poverty #t-o to
eight years( -ith only %[ of people in eastern =ermany and $[ of people in -estern
=ermany remaining poor throughout the survey period+ The ma,ority of the population
#<$[ in the east and 2<[ in the -est( -as not affected )y poverty during the survey
period+;==< /ince the length of the survey period influences the definition of longGterm
versus temporary poverty these results allo- only limited conclusions+ !ar more
conclusive in nature are analyses on the duration of poverty after poverty entries and on
the corresponding pro)a)ility of e7iting poverty+
D%ration of poverty and t$e pro0a0i'ity of 'eavin& it
This section refers to those individuals from the longitudinal population for -hom a
period of poverty;=8< started in or after %""9+;=:< Ta)le ' sho-s the duration of poverty
for these individuals and also the pro)a)ility of their leaving poverty )ehind+;=C<
#Ta)le '(
*round half the individuals in eastern =ermany -ho entered poverty remained poor for
at least t-o years+ Close to one third of individuals e7perienced at least three years of
poverty and %0[ of the povertyGaffected population of eastern =ermany e7perienced at
least four years of poverty+ * minimal proportion of the population suffered longer
periods of poverty+ The poverty profile for -estern =ermany differs markedly from that
for eastern =ermany+ 5n the -estern part of the country more than half the poor
population e7perienced a poverty phase -hich lasted for at least t-o yearsF for almost
t-o fifths the poverty phase lasted at least three yearsF and for close to one third the
poverty phase e7tended to a period of at least four years+ The differences )et-een east
and -est )ecome more conspicuous -ith lengthening duration of poverty+ The proportion
of individuals in -estern =ermany -ho e7perienced a si7Gyear poverty phase #$'[( -as
around three times as high as the corresponding figure for eastern =ermany+
/uch differences again )ecome apparent too -hen -e look at the figures representing
the pro)a)ility of e7iting poverty+ 5n eastern =ermany the pro)a)ility of e7iting poverty
after one year came close to 0$[F after t-o years of poverty the likelihood -as do-n to
9'[F after three years it -as )ack to 0$[+ 5n eastern =ermany the pro)a)ility of e7iting
a poverty phase -as not reduced until after four years of living in poverty+ By contrast
the pro)a)ility of e7iting poverty in -estern =ermany )ecame lo-er #-ith one e7ception(
$?
-ith each additional year in the poverty phase+ 5n this part of the country the risk of
)eing or )ecoming chronically poor is higher+ *nd the pro)a)ility of individualsL e7iting
poverty after a oneG or t-oGyear poverty phase -as also lo-er than in eastern =ermany+
!igures % and $ illustrate )oth the similarities and the differences )et-een eastern and
-estern =ermany in terms of poverty duration+ 5n )oth regions around half of all poverty
phases o)served during the survey period had ended after one year though the proportion
of the poor population -ho e7perienced a longer duration in poverty -as considera)ly
larger in the -est than in eastern =ermany+;=E<
D%ration of non>poverty and t$e pro0a0i'ity of re>enterin& poverty
Just as the duration in poverty and the pro)a)ility of e7iting poverty can )e measured -e
can measure the duration of nonGpoverty and the pro)a)ility of entering rene-ed phases
of poverty #cf+ ta)le 0(+ This reCuires looking at all people from the longitudinal
population -ho e7ited a poverty phase in or after %""9+
#Ta)le 0(
5n eastern =ermany close to "9[ of all individuals -ho e7ited a poverty phase remained
a)ove the poverty line the follo-ing year+ 5n -estern =ermany the corresponding
proportion -as only <2[+ The survey recorded a sevenGyear phase of nonGpoverty for
<9[ of eastern =ermans -ho had formerly lived in poverty -hile only ?2[ of poor
people living in -estern =ermany shared a similar fortune+ The pro)a)ility therefore
that formerly poor individuals -ill enter rene-ed poverty is higher in the -est than in the
east+ * common tendency in )oth regions is that #-ith one e7ception in eastern =ermany(
the pro)a)ility of rene-ed poverty is reduced considera)ly -ith every additional year
spent in nonGpoverty+
Conc'%sion
We could not o)serve a clear trend in terms of the development of poverty in =ermany
from %""$ to $&&&+ There are indications of a rising tendency -ith respect to the poverty
rate for -estern =ermany coupled -ith a lo-er level of deterioration of the income
situation of impoverished individuals+ During all the surveyed years the poverty rate and
poverty intensity in eastern =ermany -ere significantly lo-er than those in the -estern
part of the country+ This profile changes -hen the national average income level is used
as a )asis for calculating the poverty line rather than using the average income level for
eastern =ermany G in -hich case the values for east and -est assume similar levels+ The
poverty rate for eastern =ermany does ho-ever remain )elo- the values for -estern
=ermany for most years and poverty intensity is even #markedly( lo-er in all cases than
the values ascertained for -estern =ermany+;=F<
What is remarka)le a)out this situation is that )oth the scope and intensity of poverty
remained relatively unchanged over all the survey years despite the fact that income
levels in the east have gradually moved to-ards levels corresponding -ith those in
-estern =ermany+ 1ence the gro-ing marketGincome disparity in eastern =ermany
during the course of the transformation process has not resulted in any percepti)le
increase in the num)er of people affected )y poverty+
$2
The proportion of people affected )y poverty during the period of the survey #%""$ to
$&&&( -as significantly higher than the annual poverty rates for any one specific year+
6ess than $[ of the population e7perienced longGterm poverty+ Of the individuals -ho
entered poverty during this time a little under half of those living in eastern =ermany
remained poor for at least t-o years as against more than half of their counterparts in
-estern =ermany+ Only Cuite a small fraction of the population suffered longer periods of
poverty+
The pro)a)ility of formerly poor people reGentering poverty -as considera)ly higher in
-estern =ermany than in eastern =ermany and the pro)a)ility of reGentering poverty
decreased in )oth regions -ith each additional year spent living a)ove the poverty line+
These findings clearly emphasise that to help overcome poverty the focus needs to )e
not only on increasing the freCuency of e7it from poverty )ut also on preventing
#rene-ed( poverty+
!ootnotes
M%N /ee =erman Council of 4conomic 47perts+ *nnual 3eport $&&$J$&&9 p+ 90&+
M$N The /O4P is a representative survey of households conducted annually in -estern
=ermany since %"<' and in eastern =ermany since %""&+ /ee /O4P =roup: The =erman
/ocioG4conomic Panel #=/O4P( after more than %0 years G Overvie-+ 5n: 4lke 1olst and
others #eds+(: Proceedin&s of t$e 8999 #o%rt$ -nternationa' Conference of "erman
!ocio>Economic Pane' !t%dy sers ("!OEP 8999)+ 5n: ^uarterly Journal of 4conomic
3esearch D5W Berlin %J$&&% pp+ 2G%'F or $ttp+,,www.diw.de,de%tsc$,sop,+
M9N !or a variety of reasons the results may differ from those of other studies in
particular from the results of calculations )ased on /O4P data+ Depending on the income
)asis chosen #annual income in previous year monthly income( on the poverty line used
as a reference value #e+g+ 0&[ of average ?&[ of the median( and on the -eighting used
to define the needs of individual mem)ers of a household the resulting poverty profiles
for )oth regions of =ermany may differ+ /ee: 6e)enslagen in Deutschland+ Der erste
*rmutsG und 3eichtums)ericht der Bundesregierung+ Berlin $&&% pp+ %0'G%00F Peter
Arause and 3oland 1a)ich: 4inkommensverteilung und *rmut+ 5n: !ederal /tatistical
Office #ed+(: Datenreport %"""+ Wahlen und !akten f_r die Bundesrepu)lik Deutschland+
Bonn %""" pp+ 0<%G0"%+
M'N !or =ermany as a -hole the reference value used to determine the poverty line is the
average income of the overall population+ /eparate poverty values -ere also ascertained
for eastern and -estern =ermany -here)y the reference value used here is the respective
average income for the region+ When the poverty Cuotas in eastern =ermany are
calculated )ased on income in -estern =ermany they are significantly higher+ /ee:
/tephen P+ Jenkins Chris /chluter and =ert =+ Wagner: L4inkommensarmut von Aindern
G 4in deutschG)ritischer Hergleich f_r die "&er Jahre+L 5n: Wochen)ericht des D5W Berlin
no+ 0J$&&$+
M0N 5ncome measurements are )ased on previousGyear Lannual incomeL i+e+ income after
redistri)ution in accordance -ith the ta7 and transfer system+ /ee also: Markus M+
$<
=ra)ka: L4inkommensverteilung in Deutschland G /t`rkere .mverteilungseffekte in
Ostdeutschland+L 5n: Wochen)ericht des D5W Berlin no+ %J$&&$ p+ 0$ ff+
M?N To translate a householdLs net income into a perGcapita income it is divided )y the
sum of the individual needG)ased -eightings+ The resulting amount is then allocated to
each mem)er of the household and represents the -elfare level of the household G -ith
due consideration given to the composition of the household+ !or the purpose of needG
)ased -eighting the soGcalled O4CD eCuivalence scale has )een applied according to
-hich the head of the household is given a -eighting of %+& each additional adult a
-eighting of &+0 and children under the age of %0 a -eighting of &+9+ /ee also: J_rgen
!aik: 4Cuivalence /cales+ Theoretical Discourse 4mpirical *nalysis and Distri)utionG
/pecific *pplication for the !ederal 3epu)lic of =ermany+ Berlin %""0+
M2N *n inde7 developed )y J+ !oster J+ =reer and 4+ Thor)ecke+ !or a detailed
description see: * Class of Decomposa)le Poverty Measures+ 5n: 4conometrica 0$ #9(
%"<' pp+ 2?%G2??+
M<N /ee 5rene Becker Joachim 3+ !rick Markus M+ =ra)ka 3ichard 1auser Peter
Arause and =ert =+ Wagner: * Comparison of the Main 1ousehold 5ncome /urveys for
=ermany: 4H/ and /O4P+ 5n: 3ichard 1auser and 5rene Becker #eds+(: L3eporting on
5ncome Distri)ution and Poverty+L Berlin $&&9 p+ 00G"&+
M"N LOnly as the result of a high level of transfers do disposa)le incomes in eastern
=ermany reach around <&[ of the level for -estern =ermany+ 5n %""< ho-ever the
economic capacity of households in eastern =ermany G )ased on the market income
achieved G only eCualled 2&[ of the value for -estern =ermany+L /ee: Markus M+ =ra)ka
and Birgit Otto: L*ngleichung der Markteinkommen privater 1aushalte ;-ischen OstG
und Westdeutschland nicht in /icht+L 5n: Wochen)ericht des D5W Berlin no+ 'J$&&%+
M%&N This figure gives no indication ho-ever of -hether the stated years of poverty -ere
consecutive years or represent separate periods of poverty+
M%%N /ee: Walter 1anesch Peter Arause =erhard B`cker Michael Maschke and Birgit
Otto: L*rmut und .ngleichheit in Deutschland+L 1ansGBacklerG!oundation 1am)urg
$&&& p+ %&?+ The authors report that in the period %""% to %""2 <%+"[ of the population
of eastern =ermany and 2<+"[ of the population of -estern =ermany did not fall )elo-
the regional poverty threshold at all+
M%$N 5t must )e noted that multiple incidents of poverty meant that the individual
concerned -as correspondingly counted multiple times+
M%9N Poverty phases e7tending )ack into the year %""$ cannot )e taken into account
since it is not kno-n -hen they actually )egan+ /uch phases of poverty are referred to as
leftGcensored spells+
M%'N .sing AaplanGMeier /urvival 3ates -e can esta)lish the proportion of the
population afflicted )y poverty over a continuous period+ This measure takes into
consideration -hether individuals e7ited poverty during the survey period or -hether
they -ere still living in poverty at the end of that period+
$"
M%0N The values of the AaplanGMeier /urvival !unction sho- a significantly lo-er
num)er of people remaining in poverty for an eightGyear phase in eastern than in -estern
=ermany+
M%?N 3esearch )ased on monthly income and on the =erman national poverty line does
ho-ever lead to the conclusion that the scope of poverty in eastern =ermany is more
e7tensive than in the -estern part of the country though the authors point out that this
finding -as not verifia)le once the statistics -ere )ased on annual rather than monthly
incomes+ /ee: Jan =oe)el 3oland 1a)ich and Peter Arause: L4inkommensverteilung und
*rmut+L 5n: !ederal /tatistical Office #ed+(: Datenreport $&&$+ Bonn pp+ 0<&G0"?+
"+ /1*>=1*5
CJo The >e- >ation : Bangladesh+ Prime Minister Begum Ahaleda Wia
addresses Poverty 3eduction Conference in /hanghai strongly pleading for evolving a
ne- glo)al financial arrangement -ith compassion for the poor to reduce resource gap
-ith the rich+ DO)viously the e7isting resource gap cannot )e covered )y traditional OD*
#overseas development assistance( alone+ What is needed is a ne- glo)al financial
arrangement that can ensure fair play ,ustice and compassion for the poorE she said
-hile addressing the opening session of the World BankGsponsored glo)al conference on
poverty reduction here+E /ee http:JJnation+ittefaC+comJartmanJpu)lishJarticleT"'9&+shtml
or see all stories on this topic at:
http:JJne-s+google+comJne-sU
ieQutf<VoeQutf<VpersistQ%VnumQ9&VhlQenVclientQgoogleVne-sclusterurlQhttp:JJnati
on+ittefaC+comJartmanJpu)lishJarticleT"'9&+shtml
=9. !O2) A#/-CA
CJo /unday Times Johannes)urg /outh *frica+ By Tha)ang Mokopanele+ The
.nited >ations gains support for report on /outh *frica poverty crisis+ Development
report that /outh *frica as a country is in crisis -ith almost all /outh *fricans living in
poverty+
/ee http:JJ---+sundaytimes+co+;aJ;onesJsundaytimesJne-sstJne-sst%&<000<""$+asp or
see all stories on this topic at:
http:JJne-s+google+comJne-sU
ieQutf<VoeQutf<VpersistQ%VnumQ9&VhlQenVclientQgoogleVne-sclusterurlQhttp:JJ--
-+sundaytimes+co+;aJ;onesJsundaytimesJne-sstJne-sst%&<000<""$+asp
CJo Mail V =uardian online+ D%r0an gets set to fight poverty+ !ighting poverty
and creating a climate for gro-th and development are the key challenges facing Dur)an
eThek-ini Mayor O)ed Mla)a said in his )udget speech on Wednesday+ /ee
http:JJ---+mg+co+;aJContentJl9+aspUaoQ??"&" Or see all stories on this topic at:
http:JJne-s+google+comJne-sU
9&
ieQutf<VoeQutf<VpersistQ%VnumQ9&VhlQenVclientQgoogleVne-sclusterurlQhttp:JJ--
-+mg+co+;aJContentJl9+asp[9!ao[9D??"&"
==. !PA-6
>o documentation found online ?J$&&'+
=8. !3EDE6
/-edenBs action plan against poverty and social e7clusion $&&9:$&&0 )y the
=overnment Offices of /-eden+ /ee
http:JJ---+s-eden+gov+seJcontentJ%Jc?J&$J'$J&'J<%d$'d$)+pdf /ee also D4uropeBs
position on social cohesionE at http:JJ---+s-eden+gov+seJs)JdJ9""&JaJ$'2%2
=:. /!!-A
/ee the World Bank =roupBs 3ussian !ederation at http:JJ---+-orld)ank+org+ruJ
Main goals of socioGeconomic development of 3ussia as -ell as the main directions
of cooperation )et-een 3ussian =overnment and the World Bank comprise the
foundation of the Pro,ect+ They are emphasi;ed in the follo-ing documents:
MidGterm /ocioeconomic Development Program of the 3ussia !ederation till
$&&' #5n 3ussian(
Program of cooperation )et-een the 3ussian !ederation and the World Bank for
$&&$G$&&'
Memorandum of the President of the 5nternational Bank on a country assistance
strategy of the World Bank =roup for the 3ussian !ederation
A11 6ations poverty rates
!rom http:JJ---+phatnav+comJfact)ookJfieldsJ$&'?+html #)ased on C5* data(
!ield 6isting : Population )elo- poverty line
Country Population below poverty line (%)
Af&$anistan >*[
A'0ania 9&[ #$&&% est+(
A'&eria $9[ #%""" est+(
American !amoa >*[
9%
Andorra >*[
An&o'a >*[
An&%i''a >*[
Anti&%a and Bar0%da >*[
Ar&entina 92[ #$&&% est+(
Armenia 0&[ #$&&$ est+(
Ar%0a >*[
A%stra'ia >*[
A%stria >*[
A@er0aijan '"[ #$&&$ est+(
Ba$amas( 2$e >*[
Ba$rain >*[
Ban&'ades$ 90+?[ #!@ "0J"? est+(
Bar0ados >*[
Be'ar%s $$[ #%""0 est+(
Be'&i%m '[
Be'i@e 99[ #%""" est+(
Benin 92[ #$&&% est+(
Berm%da >*[
B$%tan >*[
Bo'ivia 2&[ #%""" est+(
Bosnia and )er@e&ovina >*[
Botswana '2[
Bra@i' $$[ #%""< est+(
Britis$ Bir&in -s'ands >*[
Br%nei >*[
B%'&aria %$+?[ #$&&% est+(
B%rkina #aso '0[ #$&&% est+(
9$
B%rma $0[ #$&&& est+(
B%r%ndi 2&[ #$&&$ est+(
Cam0odia 9?[ #%""2 est+(
Cameroon '<[ #$&&& est+(
Canada >*[
Cape Berde 9&[ #$&&&(
Cayman -s'ands >*[
Centra' African /ep%0'ic >*[
C$ad <&[ #$&&% est+(
C$i'e $%[ #%""< est+(
C$ina %&[ #$&&% est+(
C$ristmas -s'and >*[
Cocos (7ee'in&) -s'ands >*[
Co'om0ia 00[ #$&&%(
Comoros ?&[ #$&&$ est+(
Con&o( Democratic
/ep%0'ic of t$e
>*[
Con&o( /ep%0'ic of t$e >*[
Cook -s'ands >*[
Costa /ica $&+?[ #%""" est+(
Cote dM-voire 92[ #%""0(
Croatia >*[
C%0a >*[
Cypr%s >*[
C@ec$ /ep%0'ic >*[
Denmark >*[
Dji0o%ti 0&[ #$&&% est+(
Dominica 9&[ #$&&$ est+(
99
Dominican /ep%0'ic $0[
East 2imor '$[ #$&&$ est+(
Ec%ador 2&[ #$&&% est+(
E&ypt $$+"[ #!@ "0J"? est+(
E' !a'vador '<[ #%""" est+(
E?%atoria' "%inea >*[
Eritrea 09[ #%""9J"'(
Estonia >*[ #$&&&(
Et$iopia '0[ #$&&$ est+(
#a'k'and -s'ands (-s'as
*a'vinas)
>*[
#aroe -s'ands >*[
#iji $0+0[ #%""&G"%(
#in'and >*[
#rance ?+'[ #%"""(
#renc$ "%iana >*[
#renc$ Po'ynesia >*[
"a0on >*[
"am0ia( 2$e >*[
"a@a !trip ?&[ #$&&$ est+(
"eor&ia 0'[ #$&&% est+(
"ermany >*[
"$ana 9%+'[ #%""$ est+(
"i0ra'tar >*[
"reece >*[
"reen'and >*[
"renada 9$[ #$&&&(
"%ade'o%pe >*[
9'
"%am $9[ #$&&% est+(
"%atema'a 20[ #$&&$ est+(
"%ernsey >*[
"%inea '&[ #%""' est+(
"%inea>Bissa% >*[
"%yana >*[
)aiti <&[ #$&&$ est+(
)o'y !ee (Batican City) >*[
)ond%ras 09[ #%""9 est+(
)on& 7on& >*[
)%n&ary <+?[ #%""9 est+(
-ce'and >*[
-ndia $0[ #$&&$ est+(
-ndonesia $2[ #%"""(
-ran '&[ #$&&$ est+(
-ra? >*
-re'and %&[ #%""2 est+(
-srae' %<[ #$&&% est+(
-ta'y >*[
5amaica 9'+$[ #%""$ est+(
5apan >*[
5ersey >*[
5ordan 9&[ #$&&% est+(
7a@ak$stan $?[ #$&&% est+(
7enya 0&[ #$&&& est+(
7iri0ati >*[
7orea( 6ort$ >*[
7orea( !o%t$ '[ #$&&% est+(
90
7%wait >*[
7yr&y@stan 00[ #$&&% est+(
1aos '&[ #$&&$ est+(
1atvia >*[
1e0anon $<[ #%""" est+(
1esot$o '"[ #%"""(
1i0eria <&[
1i0ya >*[
1iec$tenstein >*[
1it$%ania >*[
1%.em0o%r& >*[
*aca% >*[
*acedonia( 2$e #ormer
A%&os'av /ep%0'ic of
$'[ #$&&% est+(
*ada&ascar 2%[ #%""" est+(
*a'awi 0'[ #!@ "&J"% est+(
*a'aysia <[ #%""< est+(
*a'dives >*[
*a'i ?'[ averageF 9&[ of the total population living in
ur)an areasF 2&[ of the total population living in
rural areas( #$&&% est+(
*a'ta >*[
*an( -s'e of >*[
*ars$a'' -s'ands >*[
*artini?%e >*[
*a%ritania 0&[ #$&&% est+(
*a%riti%s %&[ #$&&% est+(
*ayotte >*[
*e.ico '&[ #$&&% est+(
9?
*icronesia( #ederated
!tates of
$?+2[
*o'dova <&[ #$&&% est+(
*onaco >*[
*on&o'ia 9?[ #$&&% est+(
*ontserrat >*[
*orocco %"[ #%""" est+(
*o@am0i?%e 2&[ #$&&% est+(
6ami0ia 0&[ #$&&$ est+(
6a%r% >*[
6epa' '$[ #%""0G"?(
6et$er'ands >*[
6et$er'ands Anti''es >*[
6ew Ca'edonia >*[
6ew Nea'and >*[
6icara&%a 0&[ #$&&% est+(
6i&er ?9[ #%""9 est+(
6i&eria ?&[ #$&&& est+(
6i%e >*[
6orfo'k -s'and >*[
6ort$ern *ariana -s'ands >*[
6orway >*[
Oman >*[
Pakistan 90[ #$&&% est+(
Pa'a% >*[
Panama 92[ #%""" est+(
Pap%a 6ew "%inea 92[ #$&&$ est+(
Para&%ay 9?[ #$&&% est+(
92
Per% 0&[ #$&&& est+(
P$i'ippines '&[ #$&&% est+(
Pitcairn -s'ands >*[
Po'and %<+'[ #$&&& est+(
Port%&a' >*[
P%erto /ico >*[
Oatar >*[
/e%nion >*[
/omania ''+0[ #$&&&(
/%ssia $0[ #92?$$ est+(
/wanda ?&[ #$&&% est+(
!aint )e'ena >*[
!aint 7itts and 6evis >*[
!aint 1%cia >*[
!aint Pierre and *i?%e'on >*[
!aint Bincent and t$e
"renadines
>*[
!amoa >*[
!an *arino >*[
!ao 2ome and Principe >*[
!a%di Ara0ia >*[
!ene&a' 0'[ #$&&% est+(
!er0ia and *ontene&ro 9&[
!eyc$e''es >*[
!ierra 1eone ?<[ #%"<" est+(
!in&apore >*[
!'ovakia >*[
!'ovenia >*[
9<
!o'omon -s'ands >*[
!oma'ia >*[
!o%t$ Africa 0&[ #$&&& est+(
!pain >*[
!ri 1anka $$[ #%""2 est+(
!%dan >*[
!%riname 2&[ #$&&$ est+(
!va'0ard >*[
!wa@i'and '&[ #%""0(
!weden >*[
!wit@er'and >*[
!yria %0[G$0[
2aiwan %[ #$&&& est+(
2ajikistan ?&[ #$&&% est+(
2an@ania 9?[ #$&&$ est+(
2$ai'and %$+0[ #%""< est+(
2o&o 9$[ #%"<" est+(
2oke'a% >*[
2on&a >*[
2rinidad and 2o0a&o $%[ #%""$ est+(
2%nisia ?[ #$&&& est+(
2%rkey >*[
2%rkmenistan 9'+'[ #$&&% est+(
2%rks and Caicos -s'ands >*[
2%va'% >*[
&anda 90[ #$&&% est+(
kraine $"[ #$&&% est+(
nited Ara0 Emirates >*[
9"
nited 7in&dom %2[
nited !tates %$+2[ #$&&% est+(
r%&%ay ?[ #%""2(
@0ekistan >*[
Ban%at% >*[
Bene@%e'a '2[ #%""< est+(
Bietnam 92[ #%""< est+(
Bir&in -s'ands >*[
3a''is and #%t%na >*[
3est Bank ?&[ #$&&$ est+(
3estern !a$ara >*[
Aemen >*
Nam0ia <?[ #%""9(
Nim0a0we 2&[ #$&&$ est+(
'&
5. Comparin& t$e E'ements of t$e Different Approac$es
Jim to do using the source material in this paper+
'%
Pro0'ems in t$e E.istin& #edera' Definition of Poverty
*+ T14 POH43T@ 5>D4\ 5/ O.TD*T4D+ The poverty inde7 invented in the earlyG
%"?&Bs is outdated+ The methodology has )een challenged many times over the
decades+ Our thanks to =arth Mangrum and /teven Mangrum and *ndre- /um for
their )ook DThe Persistence of Poverty in the .nited /tatesE Johns 1opkins Press
$&&9+ On the surface the Dcase for changeE appears to )e compelling+ * fe- of the
pro)lems summari;ed )y the Mangrums and /um from previous studies #this
synopsis is from pages \\ to @@ of their )ook( include:
a+ 5n the %"?&Bs the percentage of the household )udget spent on food -as assumed to
)e a)out 99[ and no- the percentage spent on food is a)out %'[+
)+ The dietary ha)its of *merican families have changed dramatically i+e+ the original
Dgrocery )asketE of the types of food in the diet is o)solete+
c+ The formula does not take into account the dramatic regional variations in the cost of
living+
d+ The original formula does not include sources of income that -ere created after the
formula -as adopted including government )enefits such as the 4arned 5ncome Ta7
Credit and !ood /tamps+ #*ll income should )e counted+(
e+ The cost elements are incomplete+ Childcare housing and transportation costs -ere
not specifically included in the original formula )ut have no- )ecome significant
household costs+ #* more complete family )udget should )e used+(
#This ends the summary of Mangrum and /um and )egins Jim speculations(
f+ The e7isting approach tells us nothing a)out W1@ people are poor or W1*T -e can
do to change the situation+ There is no clue and the implicit clues that are there lead us
into a deadGend+ =iven that the e7isting formula is consumption )ased #as opposed to
production )ased or social system )ased( in the a)sence of other information then -e
might assume that the task at hand is to help them consume+
There are at least t-o pro)lems -ith this -hich 5 -ill call the standard pro)lem and the
Maslo- pro)lem+ 3he standards proble.. The purpose of many pu)lic policies is to
su)sidi;e consumption to get people up to Da standardE GG )ut -e do not really kno- -hat
the standard is supposed to )e+ 4ngland and some other 4uropean countries do surveys to
develop an accurate description of -hat their pu)lic#s( perceives as a desira)le standard+
#Cite again8+( 3he aslo( 2roble.+ Psychologist *)raham Maslo- developed a
Dhierarchy of needsE that descri)ed his theory a)out the evolution of a person over the
course of a lifetime+ *n individual -ould gro- from )eing concerned a)out one type of
need to other types of needs+ Maslo- did not create a linear seCuential theory that
assumes that lo-er level needs M./T )e satisfied )efore a person can move to a higher
level need and that all this has to happen in the course of a year or t-o+ 5nstead he said
that the most important need that a person had at the moment -as likely to a)sor) most
of their attention and energy )efore they could move on to consideration of other needs+
1o-ever the hierarchical assumption has )ecome em)edded in most .+/+ social policy
'$
and the shi))oleth is often heard that Da person can not really look for a ,o) -hen they
are hungryE or Da person can not a pay attention in school -hen they are hungry+E 5 used
to )elieve this )ut 5 donBt anymore+ People can enter this Dneeds packageE at any level
and leave -ith any com)ination of satisfied needs that -orks for them+ #/ee separate
paper on Maslo-+( The trap that is created )y people -ho reify Maso- is that it validates
the consumption model -ith the idea that consumption needs M./T B4 M4T )efore a
person can move to higher levels+
g+ The formula does not consider real factors that determine ho- long a person or family
stays in poverty e+g+ it does not assess human capital social capital or financial capital+
These cushion a family from temporary income poverty and ena)le the family to escape
poverty more Cuickly+ The e7isting formula therefore fails to reveal these cushions and
path-ays out of poverty+
h+ =iven the large num)er of people -ho are technically in poverty for a short period
each year #under ' months( )ut -ho use fe- or no government services there must )e
many factors that -e are ,ust not seeing+ Why do they D)ounceE and others DstayUE
What are the other drivers of social mo)ilityU The concept of poverty as -e currently use
it conceals as much as it reveals+
i+ Put another -ay the e7isting formula focuses too heavily on stuff and not enough on
financial assets human capital and social factors GG and does not help to identify strategy
at the national state community or family levels+
#Back to the )ook(
B+ /4H43*6 *6T43>*T5H4/ 1*H4 B44> CO>/5D434D+ Just a fe- of the
alternatives that have )een e7plored as descri)ed )y the MangrumBs and /um are listed
)elo-+ The ideas for change fall into t-o general groupings a)solute income measures
and relative income measures+
5+ *B/O6.T4 5>COM4 M4*/.34/
%+ .pdate the food consumption percentage or food mi7+
$+ The >ational *cademy of /ciencesJ>3/ created a D)asic needs commodity )undleE
that adds other household costs to the formula+
9+ The DO6 Bureau of 6a)or /tatistics #B6/( and the Census Bureau devised a D)asic
consumption )undle+E
'+ The B6/ also created a Dfamily )udget series+E
0+ The B6/ also created a Dlo-er living standard income levelE+ 5ts acronym is 66/56+
?+ Oliver and /hapiro created a Dresource sufficiency and resource deficiencyE model+
2+ Wider Opportunities for Women have promoted the concept of a Dliving -age+E
'9
55+ 346*T5H4 5>COM4 MOD46/
<+ 4conomist Hictor !uchs uses a percentage of median income as the most important
measure of poverty e+g+ 0&[ of median income or 20[ of median income or <&[ of
median income+ Most 1.D programs use a percent of median income to esta)lish either
individual eligi)ility or group eligi)ility for the people in a neigh)orhood+
"+ Pu)lic opinion polls have )een used to identify -hat the pu)lic thinks a)out the
amount of money that is needed to live in an area )ut these are rarely the )asis for pu)lic
policy+
/o there are many alternative -ays of measuring poverty+ Both 1.D and DO6 seem to
have e7plored and adopted more approaches that diverge from the original poverty
formula than has 11/+ The Census Bureau and others have )een active participants in
these e7plorations+ *lthough staff at 11/ have compiled and e7plored many
alternatives fe- of them have risen to the level of adoption at the operational level or to
the level of changes in the formula itself+
#Back to Jim(
C+ C1*664>=4/ 5> C1*>=5>= T14 4\5/T5>= !O3M.6*
%+ The poverty formula is -ritten into many statutes as the primary method or as an
element in the method of allocating !ederal money to programs or states+ Many people
prefer the kno-n method and predicta)le resource flo-s to the uncertainty of possi)le
changes in resource allocations+ *ny proposed change in a distri)ution formula e7cites
huge constituencies -ho are vested in the e7isting method+
$+ The sheer num)er of programs and governmental organi;ations using the poverty
inde7 makes the process of ,ust having a conversation a)out it a formida)le logistical
challenge+
9+ /ome elected officials do not -ant the num)ers to change up-ard i+e+ they do not
-ant the num)ers to go up Don their -atchE for fear that the pu)lic might perceive that
the policies of incum)ent elected officials are causing a real increase in poverty+
'+ /ome human service delivery organi;ations do not -ant to add in the dollars or dollarG
value of the )enefits the household receives )ecause they are afraid the num)ers in
poverty -ill go do-n thus reducing pu)lic concern a)out poverty or reducing federal
appropriations+
0+ /ome people perceive that any proposed changes are )ased on ulterior motives i+e+ to
reduce !ederal e7penditures or to change the !ederal role+
?+ 47isting methods of community assessment are not very useful in that they do not help
people understand the causes of poverty and do not lead people into discussions a)out
ho- to change the economy social values or personal )ehavior+ These methods are
firmly rooted in do;ens of human development programs and -ill )e difficult to change+
One proposal under consideration is to develop ne- methods of community and family
''
assessment that include *66 of the factors that contri)ute to a cushion or path-ay out of
poverty and to ,ust start using them+ 5f the program operators find them useful they -ill
take on a life of their o-n+
'0
1. Bi0'io&rap$y
5+ Print documents most availa)le online+
A!PE+ http:JJaspe+hhs+govJpovertyJcontacts+shtml
Office of the *ssistant /ecretary for Planning and 4valuation+ 5nformation
contacts and references on the Poverty =uidelines the Poverty Thresholds and the
Development and 1istory of .+/+ Poverty 6ines+
Cens%s B%rea%
http:JJ---+census+govJhhesJpovertyJpovmeasJpapersJfisher+html
and http:JJ---+census+govJhhesJpovertyJpovmeasJpapers+html
Citro( Constance # and Michael 3o)ert T 7ditors. #%""0( Measuring Poverty: * >e-
*pproach #http:JJ---+census+govJhhesJ---JimgJpovmeasJack+pdf(+ Panel on Poverty
and !amily *ssistance: Concepts 5nformation >eeds and Measurement Methods+
>ational *cademy Press Washington D+C+ $&'%<+ This is the >*/J>3/ report from
%""0+
Department of 1a0or+ http:JJ---+doleta+govJregionsJreg&0JdocumentsJi)&0%G&9+htm
#is$er( "ordon *+ + #%""$( The Development and 1istory of the Poverty Thresholds+
#---+ssa+govJhistoryJfisheronpoverty+html( 0ocial 0ec%rity 1%lletin Holume 00 >um)er
'+
Office of the /ecretary Department of 1ealth and 1uman /ervices+
Because of the great interest in poverty and its measurement the 1%lletin asked
Mr+ !isher to -rite an article on the origin of the poverty thresholds+ !or related
information see DPoverty =uidelines for %""$E )y =ordon M+ !isher 0ocial
0ec%rity 1%lletin, Hol+ 00 >o+ % /pring %""$ pp+ '9 '?+
"arner( 2$esia -F /hort AathleenF /hipp /tephanieF >elson CharlesF Paulin =eoffrey+
47perimental poverty measurement for the %""&s+ Bureau of 6a)or /tatistics March
%""< Hol+ %$% >o+ 9+ http:JJ---+)ls+govJopu)JmlrJ%""<J&9Jart'e7c+htm
"ent'e( 2om+ Official government poverty line sho-s signs of old age+ CJo Oregon
/tate .niversity 47tension /ervice+
/ee http:JJeesc+orst+eduJagcom-e)fileJedmatJhtmlJemJem<2'9Jpart%Jofficialgovt+html
'?
5o$nson( David !+F 3ogers John M+F Tan 6ucilla+ #$&&%( * century of family )udgets
in the .nited /tates+ #http:JJ---+)ls+govJopu)JmlrJ$&&%J&0Jart9e7c+htm( Bureau of
6a)or /tatistics Monthly 6a)or 3evie- Online+ May $&&% Hol+ %$' >o+ 0+
1ampman( Bo0+ #%"0"( 1o- Many People -ere 3eally in Poverty in %"'2U 4conomic
1istory /ervices *)stracts *rchive+ http:JJ---+eh+netJa)stractsJarchiveJ&$99+php
*ic$ae'( /o0ert 2+ Measuring Poverty: * >e- *pproach+ The Panel on Poverty and
!amily *ssistance+ Chunking out Cuestions to generate interest and to avoid triggering
hostility+ 5t looks like this is the -ay they did it on this effort -hich also includes the
DWhoBs WhoE on poverty measurement+ /ee
http:JJ---+nap+eduJreadingroomJ)ooksJpovertyJackno-ledgments+html
*oore( P$.D. 7ristin AndersonF Bro-n Ph+D+ Brett H+F /carupa 1arriet J+ #$&&9( The
.ses and Misuses of /ocial 5ndicators: 5mplications for Pu)lic Policy+ Child Trends
3esearch Brief The Child 5ndicator /pring $&&' Hol+ ' 5ssue >o+ 0+ Pu)lication X $&&9G
&% '9&%+ ---+childtrends+org
6ationmaster.com
http:JJ---+nationmaster+comJcountryJspJ4conomy
O'sen( 7e''y A+ #%""0( *pplication of 47perimental Poverty Measures to the *ged+
#http:JJ---+ssa+govJpolicyJdocsJss)Jv?$n9Jv?$n9p9+pdf( Office of Policy /ocial
/ecurity *dministration+
55+ 4lectronic documents+
!rom http:JJunstats+un+orgJunsdJmethodsJpovertyJedocuments+htm
Belo- is a list of documents availa)le in electronic format that contain )ackground material for the proposed
pu)lication+ The list is intended to )e suggestive )ut not comprehensive+ The list -ill evolve as the discussion on
the pu)lication progresses and other materials are recommended )y the /teering Committee for inclusion+
Chakravarty /atya 3+ 3avi Aan)ur and Diganta Mukher,ee Population gro-th and poverty measurement #June
$&&$(
Coudouel *line Jesko /+ 1entschel and ^uentin T+ Wodon Poverty Measurement and *nalysis
David 5sidoro P On Compara)ility of Poverty /tatistics !rom Different /ources and Dissagregation 6evels
#>ovem)er $&&$(
David 5sidoro P 5ssues in estimating the Poverty 6ine #May $&&%(
David 5sidoro P Poverty /tatistics and 5ndicators: 1o- often should they )e measuredU #*ugust $&&&(
Deaton *ngus Measuring poverty in a gro-ing -orld #or measuring gro-th in a poor -orld( F !irst version June
$&&9
'2
Deaton *ngus 1o- to monitor poverty for the Millennium Development =oals #March $&&9(
Deaton *ngus Counting the WorldLs Poor: Pro)lems and Possi)le /olutions #!all $&&%(
Dikhanov @+ and M+ Ward Counting The Poor More Comprehensively #The 4volution of the =lo)al Distri)ution
of 5ncomeF 5/5 =eneral Conference /eoul 3ep+ of Aorea *ugust $&&%(
5nternational !und for *gricultural Development #5!*D( 3ural poverty 3eport $&&%G The Challenge of ending
3ural Poverty
Aan)ur 3avi and Diganta Mukher,ee Premature Mortality and Poverty Measurement #March $&&9(
Aan)ur 3avi ^ualG^uant ^ualitative and ^uantitative Poverty *ppraisal: Complementarites tensions and the
-ay for-ard #Contri)utions to a Workshop held at Cornell .niversity March $&&%(
Aan)ur 3avi and 6yn /Cuire The 4volution of Thinking *)out Poverty: 47ploring the 5nteractions #/eptem)er
%"""(
6aderchi Caterina 3uggeri 3uhi /aith and !rances /te-art 4veryone agrees -e need poverty reduction )ut not
-hat this means: does this matterU #May $&&9(
.nited >ations Development Programme #.>DP( .nited >ations 4conomic Commission for 6atin *merica
and the Cari))ean #.>4C6*C( Bra;ilian 5nstitute for *pplied 4conomic 3esearch Meeting the Millennium
Poverty 3eduction Targets in 6atin *merica and the Cari))ean $&&$(+ 7nglish, 0panish+
.nited >ations Provisional =uidelines on /tatistics of the Distri)ution of 5ncome Consumption and
*ccumulation of 1ouseholds #%"22( G 7nglish, /rench, 0panish
.nited >ations /tatistics Division #.>/D( Millennium+un+org Target %+ 4radicate e7treme poverty and hunger
#$&&9(+ 7nglish /rench(
World Bank Distri)ution of income or consumption #World Development 5ndicators $&&$(
World Bank Population )elo- national and international poverty lines and poverty gap #World Development
5ndicators $&&9(
'<
*. !take$o'ders and E.perts
Catholic Charities
http:JJ---+catholiccharitiesusa+orgJ
Catholic Charities ./*
%29% Aing /treet
*le7andria H* $$9%'
Ph: 2&9+0'"+%9"&
!7: 2&9+0'"+%?0?
Census
http:JJ---+census+govJ
!53/T 6*/T
.+/+ Census Bureau
'2&& /ilver 1ill 3oad
Washington DC $&$99G&&&%
Community *ction Partnership
http:JJ---+communityactionpartnership+comJ
Community *ction Partnership
%%&& %2th /t >W /te 0&&
Washington DC $&&9?
Ph $&$G$?0G20'?
!7 $&$G$?0G<<0&
Department of 6a)orJBureau of 6a)or /tatistics
http:JJ---+)ls+govJ
Data questions: blsdata_staff@bls.gov
.!. B%rea% of 1a0or !tatistics
Postal /Cuare Building
$ Massachusetts *ve+ >4
Washington DC $&$%$G&&&%
Ph $&$G?"%G0$&&
!GoGd: $&$G?"%G?9$0
4P5
http:JJ---+epinet+orgJ
4conomic Policy 5nstitute
Jared Bernstein
%??& 6 /treet >+W+ /uite %$&&
Washington D+C+ $&&9?
Ph: $&$G220G<<%&
!7: $&$G220G&<%"
>ational *ssociation of /tate and Community /ervice
Program *dministrators #>*/C/P(
http:JJ---+nascsp+orgJ
Timothy 3+ Warfield 47ecutive Director
4Gmail: -arfieldOsso+org
>*/C/P
Ph $&$J?$'G0<?0
>ational Community *ction !oundation
http:JJ---+ncaf+orgJ
The >ational Community *ction !oundation
<%& !irst /treet /uite 09&
Washington DC $&&&$
Ph: $&$G<'$G$&"$
!a7: $&$G<'$G$&"0
>ational =overnors *ssociation #>=*(
http:JJ---+nga+orgJ
>ational =overnors *ssociation
1all of /tates
''' >+ Capitol /t+
Washington D+C+ $&&&%G%0%$
Ph $&$G?$'G09&&
'"
Office of Management and Budget
http:JJ---+-hitehouse+govJom)J
OMB
2$0 %2th /treet >W
Washington DC $&0&9
Ph $&$G9"0G9&<&
!a7: $&$G9"0G9<<<
OMB Watch
=ary Bass )assgOom)-atch+org
=ary Bass
OMB Watch
%2'$ Connecticut *venue >+W+
Washington D+C+ $&&&"
Ph $&$G$9'G<'"'
!7 $&$G$9'G<0<'
/alvation *rmy
http:JJ---+salvationarmyusa+org or
http:JJ---%+salvationarmy+orgJihCJ---Tsa+nsf
!A 6ationa'
?%0 /laters 6ane
P+O+ Bo7 $?"
*le7andria H* $$9%9
.nited /tates #>ational(
tel: #2&9( ?<' 00&&
fa7: #2&9( ?<' 9'2<
/ocial /ecurity *dministration
http:JJ---+ssa+govJ
UU
/ocial /ecurity *dministration
Office of Pu)lic 5nCuiries
Windsor Park Building
?'&% /ecurity Blvd+
Baltimore MD $%$90
/t+ Hincent De Paul
http:JJ---+svdpusa+orgJ
/aint Hincent de Paul
0< Progress Park-ay
/t+ 6ouis Missouri ?9&'9G92&?
Phone: #9%'( 02?G9""9
!*\: #9%'( 02?G?200
.nited Church of Christ
http:JJ---+ucc+orgJinde7%+html
.nited Church of Christ
2&& Prospect *venue
Cleveland O1 ''%%0
Ph <??G<$$G<$$'
.>5C4!
http:JJ---+unicef+org 77
.>5C4! 1ouse
9 .nited >ations Pla;a
>e- @ork >e- @ork %&&%2
.+/+*+
Ph $%$G9$?G2&&&
!a7 %: $%$G<<2+2'?0
!a7 $: $%$G<<2+2'0'
.r)an 5nstitute
http:JJ---+ur)an+orgJ
4Gmail: paffairsOui+ur)an+org
.r)an 5nstitute
$%&& M /treet >+W+
Washington DC $&&92
Ph #$&$( <99G2$&&
./CM .nited /tates Conference of Mayors
0&
http:JJ---+usmayors+orgJ or
http:JJusmayors+orgJuscmJhome+asp
4Gmail: infoOusmayors+org
%?$& 5 /treet >+W+
Washington DC $&&&?
Ph $&$G$"9G299&
!7 $&$G$"9G$90$
./D*
http:JJ---+usda+gov
.nited /tates Department of *griculture
http:JJ---+usda+govJContact.sJ
Do a summary of the >3/ -orkU Or notU 5t proposes an update of the consumption
model+
47pert -ho -rote many of the papers in /ection C and D #=ordon !isher(
"ordon #is$er Office of the *ssistant /ecretary for Planning and 4valuation 3oom
'9<! 1umphrey Building .+/+ Department of 1ealth and 1uman /ervices $&&
5ndependence *venue /+W+ Washington D+C+ $&$&%GGtelephone: #$&$( ?"&G?%'%F
internet address: gfisherOosaspe+dhhs+gov
0%
Appendi. A. nited 3ayHs !tate of Carin& -nde.
/ee http:JJnational+united-ay+orgJstateofcaringJlist+cfm
A0o%t t$e -ndicators for t$e 6ation and t$e E9 !tates
4conomy and !inancial Well Being
4ducation
1ealth
HoluntarismJCharityJCivic 4ngagement
/afety
>atural 4nvironment and Other !actors
!igures in parentheses sho- the -eight given these factors in the inde7+ Weights for the
categories eCual the sum of the -eights for the individual indicators+
4conomy and !inancial Well Being #$'[(
Median household income (5%)
Median household income (in 2001 dollars)
! "ensus #ureau (200$). Median %ousehold &ncome b' !tate(
1)*+,2001. -ashington D.".
Percentage of population living below the federal poverty
level (7%)
.ercentage of /o/ulation living belo0 the federal /overt' level
! "ensus #ureau (200$). 1umber of .oor and .overt' 2ate(
#' !tate: 1)*0 to 2001. -ashington( D".
Unemployment rate (5%)
3he unem/lo'ment rate is calculated as the /ercent unem/lo'ed of the civilian
labor force. 3he civilian labor force is the sum of em/lo'ed and unem/lo'ed
/ersons. Members of the civilian noninstitutional /o/ulation ages 14 and older are
considered em/lo'ed if the' did an' 0or5 at all for /a' or /rofit during the 0ee5 in
0hich the "urrent .o/ulation !urve' (".!) 0as administered. 3he' are classified
as unem/lo'ed if the' do not have a 6ob( have activel' loo5ed for 0or5 in the /rior
+ 0ee5s( and are currentl' available for 0or5.
#ureau of 7abor !tatistics (200$). nem/lo'ment rates.
-ashington( D".
ap between top!fifth and bottom!fifth of income earners
("%)
2atio of average household income for to/ fifth of /o/ulation divided b' average
household income for bottom fifth
1ote: nless other0ise noted( each data /oint sho0n re/resents three,'ear
averages. !o( for e8am/le( 1))) data is reall' the three,'ear average for 1))*,
2000.
0$
9conomic .olic' &nstitute and the "enter on #udget and .olic'
.riorities (2002( :/ril). ://endi8 3able ;: :verage &ncomes of
<ifth of <amilies in =>*,?*0 through =)*,?00( b' !tate. .ulling
:/art: : !tate,b',!tate :nal'sis of &ncome 3rends.
-ashington( D".
9conomic .olic' &nstitute and the "enter on #udget and .olic'
.riorities (2000( @anuar'). 3able 2: 2atio of &ncomes of 3o/ and
#ottom <ifths and ://endi8 3able ;::verage &ncomes of <ifth of
<amilies in =>*,?*0 through =)4,?)*( b' !tate. .ulling :/art: :
!tate,b',!tate :nal'sis of &ncome 3rends. -ashington( D".
#partment rental affordability ("$5%)
<ull,time hourl' 0age needed to afford a 2,bedroom a/artment (in 2001 dollars)
Aut of 2each: 3he Ba/ #et0een %ousing "osts and &ncome of
.oor .eo/le in the nited !tates (2001,2002). 1ational 7o0
&ncome %ousing "oalition: -ashington( D". Data for 2000,01
and 2001,02.
"ushing 1. Dolbeare. %ousing consultant. Data for 1))1,1))).
%omeownership rate ("$5%)
3he /ro/ortion of households that are o0ners is termed the homeo0nershi/ rate.
1ote: &t is com/uted b' dividing the number of households that are o0ners b' the
total number of households. 3he formula is as follo0s: A0ner households C 3otal
occu/ied households D %omeo0nershi/ 2ate. : second change is that the ".!C%E!
has become a totall' com/uteriFed surve' 0ith the im/lementation of the
"om/uter :ssisted !urve' &nformation "ollection (":!&"). 3he ":!&" tools consist
of state,of,the,art com/uter,assisted modules for data collection and /rocessing.
:lthough the conce/ts( definitions( and questionnaire items remain the same( the
shift to ":!&" ma' affect vacanc' rates and homeo0nershi/ rates. -e are unable
to determine the quantitative effects of the use of ":!&" on the vacanc' and
homeo0nershi/ rates. Data users should use caution 0hen com/aring data for
1))+ and later 0ith earlier data.
.!. "ensus #ureau (200$). "urrent .o/ulation !urve'C%ousing
Eacanc' !urve'. %ousing Eacancies and %omeo0nershi/ :nnual
!tatistics: 2002 3able 1$. %omeo0nershi/ 2ates b' !tate: 1)*+
to 2002.
&ducation ("'%)
Percentage of teens who are high school dropouts ((%)
.ercentage of teens 0ho are high school dro/outs (ages 14 to 1))
:nnie 9. "ase' <oundation (200$). Gids "ount Data #oo5 200$:
!tate .rofiles of "hild -ell,#eing. #altimore( MD.
Percentage of adults "5 and older who have completed
high school or higher level of education ((%)
.ercentage of adults 2; and older 0ho have com/leted high school or higher level
of education
09
2002 !tatistical :bstract of the nited !tates. 3able 1o. 212.
9ducational :ttainment b' !tate: 1))0 and 2000 HData for
1))0 and 2000I. Metro/olitan area data available at
htt/:CC000.census.govC/o/ulationC000CsocdemoCeduc,
attn.html.
2000 !tatistical :bstract of the nited !tates. 3able 1o. 2;$.
9ducational :ttainment b' !tate: 1))0 and 1))) HData for
1)))I.
1))) !tatistical :bstract of the nited !tates. 1o. 24>.
9ducational :ttainment( b' !tate: 1))0 and 1))* HData for
1))*I.
Percentage of )th graders at or above proficiency level in
math ("%)
.ercentage of *th graders at or above /roficienc' level in math
1ational "enter for 9ducation !tatistics (2001( :ugust). 3he
1ationJs 2e/ort "ard: Mathematics 2000. -ashington( D.".
1ational "enter for 9ducation !tatistics (1))>( <ebruar'). 1:9.
1))4 Mathematics 2e/ort "ard for the 1ation and the !tates.
-ashington( D.".
Percentage of *th graders at or above proficiency level in
reading ("%)
.ercentage of +th graders at or above /roficienc' level in reading
1ote: !cores 0ere bro5en do0n into four categories: Kbelo0 basic(K Kbasic(K
K/roficient(K and Kadvanced.K 1ote about 2002 scores: :ccommodations for
students 0ith learning disabilities and children 0ith limited 9nglish /roficienc' 0ere
made in the 2002 test( but 0ere not for the scores 0e re/ort before 2002.
1evertheless( /reliminar' research has sho0n that the effect is minimal. <or
e8am/le( in one scenario Kat the fourth grade( for 21 of $* 6urisdictions that
/artici/ated in both 1))* and 2002 (and for 0hich scenario results are available)
the change in average reading scores might have differed b' u/ to one /oint in
either direction from 0hat is being re/orted( had all e8cluded students been
assessed and /erformed as h'/othesiFed. 3hirt',five of the $* 6urisdictions might
have differed b' u/ to three /oints( and another three 6urisdictions might have
differed b' three /oints or moreK (1:9.( 200$).
1ational "enter for 9ducation !tatistics (200$( @une). 3he
1ation?s 2e/ort "ard: 2eading 2002( 1"9! 200$L;21( b' -. !.
Brigg( M. ". Daane( M. @in( and @. 2. "am/bell. -ashington( D"(
/. $;. H!tate results online are the non,rounded estimatesI.
1ational "enter for 9ducation !tatistics (1)))( March). 1:9.
1))* 2eading 2e/ort "ard for the 1ation and the !tates.
-ashington( D.".
+est scores on national science e,am for -7!year old
students ("%)
3est scores on national science e8am for 1>,'ear old students
0'
1ational "enter for 9ducation !tatistics (2000( :ugust). 1:9.
1))) 3rends in :cademic .rogress: 3hree Decades of !tudent
.erformance. -ashington( D.".
Public school e,penditure per pupil (*%)
.ublic school e8/enditure /er /u/il in fall enrollment (in 2001 dollars)
1ational "enter for 9ducation !tatistics (2000,200$). 3able ;.
!tudent membershi/ and current e8/enditure /er /u/il in
membershi/ for /ublic and secondar' schools( b' function and
state. HData for 1))>,2001I. !tatistics in #rief. -ashington(
D.". !earch 9lectronic "atalog for K!tatistics in #riefK.
1ational "enter for 9ducation !tatistics (2000( March). 3able
1>2. "urrent e8/enditure /er /u/il in fall enrollment in /ublic
elementar' and secondar' schools( b' state: 1)4),>0 to 1))4,
)>. Digest of 9ducation !tatistics 1))). HData for 1)4),1))4I.
-ashington( D.".
Pupil!teacher ratios in public elementary and secondary
schools (*%)
.u/il,teacher ratios in /ublic elementar' and secondar' schools
1ational "enter for 9ducation !tatistics (200$( @une). Digest of
9ducation !tatistics 2002. 3able 4>. 3eachers( enrollment( and
/u/ilCteacher ratios in /ublic elementar' and secondar'
schools( b' state. HData for 1))4,2000I.
1ational "enter for 9ducation !tatistics (1)))). .u/il,teacher
ratios in /ublic elementar' and secondar' schools( b' state: <all
1)>0 to fall 1));. (98cel s/readsheet) HData for 1)>0 through
1));I. -ashington( D.".
%ealth ("'%)
Percentage of children and adults who are medically
uninsured ((%)
.ercentage of children and adults medicall' uninsured
! "ensus #ureau (200$). %ealth &nsurance %istorical 3able +.
-ashington( D.".
#ge!ad.usted in.ury!related death rate ("%)
:ge,ad6usted in6ur',related death rate /er 100(000 inhabitants (including firearm,
related deaths( homicides( suicides( motor vehicle,related and unintentional
deaths)
1ational "enter for %ealth !tatistics (200$). "D" -&!N:2!
Database H-eb,based &n6ur' !tatistics Nuer' and 2e/orting
!'stemI.
00
+een birth rate (births per -/''' females aged -5!-7)
("%)
3een birth rate (number of births /er 1(000 females aged 1; to 1>)
:nnie 9. "ase' <oundation (200$). Gids "ount Data #oo5 200$:
!tate .rofiles of "hild -ell,#eing. #altimore( MD.
Percentage of families with children headed by a single
parent ((%)
.ercentage of families 0ith children headed b' a single /arent
:nnie 9. "ase' <oundation (200$). Gids "ount Data #oo5 200$:
!tate .rofiles of "hild -ell,#eing. #altimore( MD.
Percentage of mothers beginning prenatal care in the first
trimester ("%)
.ercentage of mothers beginning /renatal care in the first trimester
1ational "enter for %ealth !tatistics (200$). K#irths: <inal Data
for 2001.K 3able $+. .ercent of mothers beginning /renatal care
in the first trimester and /ercent of mothers 0ith late or no
/renatal care b' race and %is/anic origin of mother: nited
!tates( each !tate and territor'. 1ational Eital !tatistics 2e/ort(
Eol. ;1( 1o. 2. December 1*( 2002. HData for 2001 available
onlineI.
1ational "enter for %ealth !tatistics (2000,2002). K#irths: <inal
Data for 2000 H1)))( 1))*IK 3able $+. .ercent of mothers
beginning /renatal care in the first trimester and /ercent of
mothers 0ith late or no /renatal care b' race and %is/anic
origin of mother: nited !tates( each !tate and territor'.
1ational Eital !tatistics 2e/ort( Eol. ;0( 1o. ;. <ebruar' 12(
2002. :1D Eol. +)( 1o. 1. :/ril 1>( 2001O Eol. +*( 1o. $. March
2*( 2000. HData for 1))* through 2000 available onlineI.
1ational "enter for %ealth !tatistics (1))4,1)))). 3able $+. .ercent of
mothers beginning /renatal care in the first trimester and /ercent of
mothers 0ith late or no /renatal care b' race and %is/anic origin of
mother: nited !tates( each !tate( .uerto 2ico( Eirgin &slands( and Buam.
1ational Eital !tatistics 2e/ort( Eol. +>( 1o. 1*. :/ril 2)( 1)))O Eol. +4(
1o. 11. @une $0( 1))*O Eol. +;( 1o. 11. @une 10( 1))>O Eol. ++( 1o. 11.
@une 2+( 1))4. HData for 1))+ through 1))> from hard co/'I.
1ational "enter for %ealth !tatistics (1));). 3able $+. .ercent of mothers
beginning /renatal care in the first trimester and /ercent of mothers 0ith
late or no /renatal care b' race and %is/anic origin of mother: nited
!tates( and each !tate. 1ational Eital !tatistics 2e/ort( HData for 1))$I.
1ational "enter for %ealth !tatistics (1))1,1))$). 1ational Eital !tatistics
2e/ort. 3able 1,)4. 7ive #irth b' Month of .regnanc' .renatal "are #egan
and 2ace of Mother: nited !tates and 9ach !tate( 1))2 H1))1I.K HData
for 1))1,1))$I.
0?
Percentage of low birth!weight babies ("%)
.ercentage of babies born lo0 birth,0eight
:nnie 9. "ase' <oundation (2002). Gids "ount Data #oo5 2002:
!tate .rofiles of "hild -ell,#eing. #altimore( MD.
0nfant mortality rate ("%)
&nfant mortalit' rate (number of deaths to /ersons under age 1 /er 1(000 live
births)
:nnie 9. "ase' <oundation (2002). Gids "ount Data #oo5 2002:
!tate .rofiles of "hild -ell,#eing. #altimore( MD.
Percentage of children aged -1 to (5 months immuni2ed
("%)
.ercentage of children aged 1) to $; months immuniFed 0ith + P doses of D3. (vs.
di/theria)( $P doses of /oliovirus vaccine( 1P doses of an' M"E (vs. measles)( $P
doses of %ib (vs. influenFa)( and $P doses of %e/# (vs. he/atitis #)
1ational &mmuniFation !urve' (2002). 1ational &mmuniFation
.rogram( "enter for Disease "ontrol and .revention: :tlanta(
Beorgia. sed column K+:$:1:$:$K from @anuar' , December
table K9stimated Eaccination "overage 0ith &ndividual Eaccines
and !elected Eaccination !eries :mong "hildren 1),$; Months
of :ge b' !tate ,, !( 1ational &mmuniFation !urve'( N1C2001,
N+C2001Q.
Percentage of -"th graders who have used any other
drug than mari.uana in the past (' days (-%)
.ercentage of 12th graders 0ho have used an' other drug than mari6uana in the
/ast $0 da's
niversit' of Michigan !urve' 2esearch "enter (2002).
Monitoring the <uture !urve'. :nn :rbor( M&.
Percentage of adults who reported smo3ing every day or
some days (-%)
.ercentage of adults 1* and older older 0ho have ever smo5ed 100 cigarettes in
their lifetime and re/orted smo5ing ever' da' or some da's
"enters for Disease "ontrol and .revention (2002). #ehavioral
2is5 <actor !urveillance !'stem !urve' Data. :tlanta( Beorgia:
.!. De/artment of %ealth and %uman !ervices( "enters for
Disease "ontrol and .revention.
4oluntarism56harity56ivic &ngagement ("'%)
#verage wee3ly number of hours volunteered by adults
who volunteer ("$5%)
:verage 0ee5l' number of hours volunteered b' adults (age 1* and older) 0ho
volunteer
1ote: 3his indicator 0as trac5ed b' the &nde/endent !ector u/ through 1))*(
0hereu/on the' s0itched metholodologies ma5ing their /ost,1))* trend
02
incom/atible. &n 2002( the' /artnered 0ith the #ureau of 7abor !tatistics to add
volunteering questions to a su//lement to the !e/tember 2002 "urrent .o/ulation
!urve' (".!). 9ventuall'( time series from the ".! 0ill re/lace the current and
increasingl' outdated one. &n 2002( the nited -a' !tate of "aring !urve'
calculated this value using &nde/endent !ectorJs old methodolog'.
nited -a' of :merica !tate of "aring !urve'. 1ational sam/le of 2(020
conducted bet0een :ugust ;th,1>th( 2002. nited -a' of :merica
2esearch !ervices( >0$,*$4,>112( e8t. $+1.
&nde/endent !ector (2000). HData for 1))* from 0eb siteI.
&nde/endent !ector (1))4). Biving and Eoluntarism in the
nited !tates. -ashington( D". H<or data u/ through 1));I.
Percentage of adult population that volunteer ("$5%)
.ercentage of the adult /o/ulation (age 1* and older) that volunteer
1ote: 3his indicator 0as trac5ed b' the &nde/endent !ector u/ through 1))*(
0hereu/on the' s0itched metholodologies ma5ing their /ost,1))* trend
incom/atible. &n 2002( the' /artnered 0ith the #ureau of 7abor !tatistics to add
volunteering questions to a su//lement to the !e/tember 2002 "urrent .o/ulation
!urve' (".!). 9ventuall'( this time series from the ".! 0ill re/lace the current and
increasingl' outdated one.
&nde/endent !ector (2000). HData for 1))* from 0eb siteI.
&nde/endent !ector (1))4). Biving and Eoluntarism in the
nited !tates. -ashington( D". H<or data u/ through 1));I.
Percentage of people who say/ in general/ most people
can be trusted ("%)
.ercentage of /eo/le 0ho sa' most /eo/le can be trusted( 0hen as5ed KBenerall'
s/ea5ing( 0ould 'ou sa' most /eo/le can be trusted or that 'ou canJt be too
careful in lifeK
Davis( @ames :llan and !mith( 3om - (2000). Beneral social
surve'( 1)>2,2000. .rinci/le &nvestigator( @ames :. DavisO
Director and "o,.rinci/al &nvestigator( 3om -. !mithO "o,
.rinci/al &nvestigator( .eter E. Marsden( 1A2" ed. "hicago:
1ational A/inion 2esearch "enter( /roducer( 2000O !torrs( "3:
3he 2o/er "enter for .ublic A/inion 2esearch( niversit' of
"onnecticut( distributor. 1 data file and 1 codeboo5.
7inancial support to non!profit groups per capita (5%)
<inancial su//ort to ;01(c)($) non,/rofit grou/s /er ca/ita (re/orted to the &2! on
their ))0 forms( including direct su//ort( indirect su//ort and government grants
/er ca/ita in 2001 dollars)
1ote: "ontributions (variable K"A13K in the &2! "ore <iles) 0ere summed b' state
and divided b' total /o/ulation (all ages) of each state. :s a general rule( church
grou/s are not included( unless the' voluntaril' submitted a ))0 form( 0hich is
rare.
1ational "enter on "haritable !tatistics (1))1,2001). "ore
<iles( 1))0,2001 Hcleaned &2! ))0 data from the &nternal
2evenue !erviceI.
0<
.!. "ensus #ureau (200$). Data /rovided b' "laritas. 1))1 to
2001 .o/ulation 9stimates. -ashington( D".
#mount raised by United 8ay per capita (5%)
:mount raised b' nited -a' /er ca/ita (in 2001 dollars)
nited -a' of :merica( 2esearch !ervices (2002). nited -a' Biving
.ro6ections b' !tate: 1))0,2001. :le8andria( E:. 3ele: >0$,*$4,>112(
e8tension $+*.
#ureau of 7abor !tatistics (2002). ".& for :ll rban "onsumers
(".&,) 1)*2,*+D100 (nad6usted) , "20000!:0 (Most
2equested !eries( .rice &nde8es). Hused to inflation,ad6ust
dataI.
.!. "ensus #ureau (2002). Data /rovided b' "laritas. 1))1 to
2001 .o/ulation 9stimates. -ashington( D".
Percentage of registered voters who voted in presidential
year elections ((%)
.ercentage of registered voters that voted in /residential 'ear elections
1ote: :nother measure of voting is the /ercentage 0ho voted of the total voting
age /o/ulation of the !tate as re/orted b' the #ureau of "ensus. %o0ever( since
the E:. includes all /ersons over the age of 1* ,, including a significant number of
/eo/le not eligible to vote in .!. elections( 0e chose to use the /ercentage of
registered voters 0ho voted.
<ederal 9lection "ommission (200$). 1ational Eoter 2egistration
and 3urnout in .residential 9lections. -ashington( D".
Safety (-'%)
4iolent crimes reported per -''/''' inhabitants (5%)
Eiolent crimes re/orted /er 100(000 inhabitants (including murder and
nonnegligent manslaughter( forcible ra/e( robber'( and aggravated assault)
<ederal #ureau of &nvestigation (2002). &nde8 of "rime. 3able
;( !tate( 2002.
<ederal #ureau of &nvestigation (2002,2002). !ection &&: "rime
&nde8es 2e/orted( "rime &nde8 3abulations( 3able +( &nde8 of
"rime b' 2egion( Beogra/hic Division( and !tate( 2000. HData
for 2000I.
#ureau of @ustice !tatisticsC<#& (2001). niform "rime 2e/orts
1)40,1))) HData for 1)40,1)))I.
Property crimes reported per -''/''' inhabitants (5%)
.ro/ert' crimes re/orted /er 100(000 inhabitants (including burglar'( larcen'( and
auto theft)
<ederal #ureau of &nvestigation (2002). &nde8 of "rime. 3able
;( !tate( 2002.
0"
<ederal #ureau of &nvestigation (2002). !ection &&: "rime
&nde8es 2e/orted( "rime &nde8 3abulations( 3able +( &nde8 of
"rime b' 2egion( Beogra/hic Division( and !tate( 1))),2000.
#ureau of @ustice !tatisticsC<#& (2001). niform "rime 2e/orts
1)40,1))) HData for 1)40,1)))I.
9atural &nvironment and :ther 7actors (;%)
Percentage of population served by community water
systems that have no health!based violations (-$5%)
.ercentage of /o/ulation served b' communit' 0ater s'stems that have no health,
based violations
Affice of -ater( 9nvironmental .rotection :genc' (2002).
!&D-&!C<9D (!afe Drin5ing -ater &nformation !'stemC<ederal
version) Database.
Percentage of people who live in counties that meet
standards for air pollutants (-$5%)
.ercentage of /eo/le 0ho live in counties that meet standards for air /ollutants
1ote: 1ote that the nonattainment records sho0 that either /art of a count' 0as in
violation or the 0hole of the count'. !ince 0e are intent on ca/turing broad trends
onl'( 0e considered a violation for a /art or 0hole of the count' as affecting the
0hole /o/ulation of the count'( 0hether directl' or indirectl'.
Affice of :ir and 2adiation( 9nvironmental .rotection :genc'
(2002). 3he Breenboo5: 1onattainment :reas for "riteria
.ollutants.
#nnual delay per capita during pea3 travel periods (-$5%)
:nnual dela' /er ca/ita during /ea5 travel /eriods (in hours)
1ote: 3his figure re/resents the average annual dela' /er ca/ita across >; of the
largest metro areas in the nited !tates.
7oma8( 3im and David !chran5 (200$). 3he 200$ :nnual
Mobilit' 2e/ort. 3e8as 3rans/ortation &nstitute.
Percentage of all municipal solid waste recovered (-$5%)
.ercentage of the national munici/al solid 0aste stream (includes materials such as
/a/er( glass( metals( /lastics as 0ell as /roducts( such as durable and non,durable
goods( containers( and /ac5aging) that is recovered (either rec'cled or
com/osted).
1ote: !ee note for K.ounds of munici/al solid 0aste /roduced /er /ersonK
<ran5lin :ssociates( 7td. (200$). H"ontracted b' 9.: Affice of
!olid -asteI. Munici/al !olid -aste in 3he nited !tates: 2001
<acts and <igures. 3able 9!,1 Beneration( Materials 2ecover'(
"om/osting( and Discards of Munici/al !olid -aste( 1)40,2001
(&n millions of tons).
]$&&' .nited Way of *merica+ *ll 3ights 3eserved+
?&