Report on Poverty in the United States: 2023 Overview with Emphasis on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Introduction

In 2023, approximately 11.1% of the United States population lived below the poverty line, equating to 36.8 million people. This report analyzes poverty trends, demographic disparities, and regional variations, highlighting the relevance to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 1: No Poverty.

National Poverty Statistics

The poverty rate measures the percentage of individuals whose household income falls below the government-defined poverty threshold, insufficient to cover basic needs such as food, housing, and healthcare.

• Poverty rate (2023): 11.1% of the population
• Number of people in poverty (2023): 36.8 million
• Trend: The national poverty rate has generally declined since its first official recording in 1959 at 21.9%, with occasional increases during economic downturns. The 2023 rate reflects a slight decrease of 0.4 percentage points from 2022.

SDG Alignment

These statistics directly relate to SDG 1: No Poverty, which aims to eradicate extreme poverty and reduce the proportion of people living in poverty globally by 2030.

Demographic Disparities in Poverty

Age Groups

• Children under 18: Poverty rate increased from 15.0% in 2022 to 15.3% in 2023.
• Adults under 65: Poverty rate decreased from 10.6% to 10.0%.
• Adults over 65: Poverty rate decreased from 10.2% to 9.7%.

Family Type

• Female-headed households with no spouse present: 21.8% living in poverty.
• Married-couple families: 4.6% living in poverty.

Racial and Ethnic Groups

• American Indian and Alaska Native population: Highest poverty rate at 21.2%.
• White, non-Hispanic population: 7.7% poverty rate.

SDG Relevance

Addressing these disparities supports SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities, which focuses on reducing income inequalities within and among countries, and SDG 5: Gender Equality, highlighting the economic challenges faced by female-headed households.

Regional Variations in Poverty

State-level data from the American Community Survey reveals significant variation in poverty rates across the United States:

1. Louisiana: Highest poverty rate at 18.9% in 2023.
2. New Hampshire: Lowest poverty rate at 7.2% in 2023.

SDG Implications

These regional disparities emphasize the need for targeted interventions to achieve SDG 1: No Poverty and promote equitable economic growth as outlined in SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth.

Conclusion and Recommendations

The 2023 poverty data underscores ongoing challenges in eradicating poverty and reducing inequalities in the United States. To align with the Sustainable Development Goals, policy efforts should focus on:

• Enhancing social protection systems to support vulnerable populations, especially children and female-headed households.
• Implementing targeted poverty reduction programs in high-poverty states such as Louisiana.
• Addressing racial and ethnic disparities through inclusive economic policies.
• Monitoring progress annually to ensure alignment with SDG targets.

These measures contribute to the global agenda of sustainable development by promoting social inclusion, economic equity, and improved well-being for all citizens.

Data Source

All data referenced in this report are sourced from the US Census Bureau.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 1: No Poverty – The article focuses extensively on poverty rates in the United States, discussing the percentage of the population living under the poverty line, poverty trends, and disparities among different demographic groups.
2. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities – The article highlights disparities in poverty rates by age, family type, race, and ethnicity, indicating issues related to inequality.
3. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being (implied) – Since poverty affects access to healthcare and basic needs, the article indirectly relates to this goal.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs Identified

1. SDG 1: No Poverty
   • Target 1.1: Eradicate extreme poverty for all people everywhere, currently measured as people living on less than $1.25 a day (the article measures poverty by the national poverty line).
   • Target 1.2: Reduce at least by half the proportion of men, women, and children living in poverty in all its dimensions according to national definitions.
2. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
   • Target 10.2: Empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, or other status.
3. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being (implied)
   • Target 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection and access to quality essential healthcare services.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. Poverty Rate (% of Population Living Below Poverty Line) – The article explicitly mentions the poverty rate as a key indicator, e.g., 11.1% of the US population in 2023.
2. Number of People Living in Poverty – The total number of people under the poverty line (36.8 million in 2023) is used to assess the scale of poverty.
3. Poverty Rate by Age Group – Specific rates for children under 18 (15.3%), adults under 65 (10.0%), and over 65 (9.7%) are provided.
4. Poverty Rate by Family Type – Rates such as 21.8% for female-headed households with no spouse present and 4.6% for married-couple families.
5. Poverty Rate by Race and Ethnicity – For example, 21.2% for American Indian and Alaska Native populations versus 7.7% for white, non-Hispanic populations.
6. State-Level Poverty Rates – Variations such as Louisiana’s highest rate at 18.9% and New Hampshire’s lowest at 7.2%.

4. Table: SDGs, Targets and Indicators

Source: usafacts.org