This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-24139251

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
American poverty rate edges up to 46.5 million American poverty figure edges up to 46.5 million
(35 minutes later)
The number of Americans in poverty rose slightly last year to 46.5 million, according to US Census data, despite a stock market recovery.The number of Americans in poverty rose slightly last year to 46.5 million, according to US Census data, despite a stock market recovery.
That edged up from 46.2 million Americans in 2011, meaning the national poverty rate remains unchanged at 15%. The figure edged up from 46.2 million in 2011, meaning the national poverty rate remains unchanged at 15%.
It is the sixth year in a row that the rate failed to improve, despite the US being out of a recession since 2011. It is the sixth year in a row that the rate failed to improve, despite the US being out of recession since 2009.
The poverty threshold in 2012 was earning below $23,492 (£14,700) for a family of four. The poverty threshold last year was income below $23,492 (£14,700) for a family of four.
Analysts point to changing employment patterns and tightening of the US safety net. Some analysts blame the lingering poverty on changing employment patterns and tightening of the social safety net.
Many jobs added since the recession have been in the lower-paying services industry - including retail and restaurants. Many jobs added since the recession have been in the lower-paying services industry, including retail and restaurants.
While the Standard & Poor's 500 index gained 16% on a total return basis last year. While the Standard & Poor's 500 index gained 16% on a total return basis last year, the Census Bureau report shows median household income remained statistically the same, at $51,017.
But the Census Bureau report shows median household income remained statistically the same, at $51,017.
The bureau also estimated about 16.1 million children and 3.9 million people aged 65 years and older were living in poverty last year.The bureau also estimated about 16.1 million children and 3.9 million people aged 65 years and older were living in poverty last year.
John Iceland, a former Census Bureau expert on poverty and a sociologist at Penn State University, called the 2012 number "discouraging".John Iceland, a former Census Bureau expert on poverty and a sociologist at Penn State University, called the 2012 number "discouraging".
"This lack of progress in poverty indicates that these small improvements in the economy are not yet being equally shared by all." "This lack of progress in poverty indicates that these small improvements in the economy are not yet being equally shared by all," he told the Associated Press news agency.
The poverty threshold is based on income before tax deductions, and takes in account some government benefits, such as unemployment insurance. The poverty threshold is based on income before tax deductions, and takes into account some government benefits, such as unemployment insurance.
Such benefits helped keep 1.7 million people outside of the poverty threshold, according to David Johnson, the chief of the Census Bureau's household economics division.Such benefits helped keep 1.7 million people outside of the poverty threshold, according to David Johnson, the chief of the Census Bureau's household economics division.