MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

46% of Argentines live in poverty.

The number of Argentines living in indigence and poverty dropped considerably compared to the peak of the crisis, announced this week in Buenos Aires Argentine Economy Minister Roberto Lavagna.

In October 2002, indigence was extensive to 26% of the population, but has now dropped to 16%, a reduction equivalent to three million people.

As to those living in poverty compared to the same date of 2002, the number dropped 2,7 million, that is from 55 to 46% of the Argentine population.

"These numbers are compatible with a reduction of ten points in unemployment which now stands at 14%", stressed Mr. Lavagna.

"This represents a great advance but much still has to be done", given that so many Argentines remain living in very difficult conditions, and therefore "for this administration the employment and social inclusion policies are paramount".

Mr. Lavagna admitted that "undoubtedly" the head of household subsidized programs helped to considerably diminish the number of indigence.

The information was extracted comparing official home, labor and employment polling which was started during the first semester of 2002.