MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

35,5 million US citizens below poverty line.

In spite of clear signals of economic recovery the number of poor people in the United States increased 1,3 million during 2003, reaching 35,9 million, according to the latest official data from the US Census Bureau.
Children and the black population seem to be the most vulnerable.

Poverty expanded at a 12,5% rate in 2003 compared to 12,1% in 2002

News of the rise in poverty is bad news for President George Bush who faces reelection next November.

The US Census Bureau definition of poverty varies on the household size with the threshold for a family of four standing at 18,810 US dollars annually and 9,393 US dollars for a single person.

The US Census Bureau annual report showed that the level of health care coverage had dropped and incomes remained essentially stagnant.

The survey also noted that while more people lost health insurance (typical of a post-recession period and uncertain job picture) an extra million US citizens actually had cover in 2003. Almost 45 million, that is 15,6% of the population, had no health insurance in 2003, up from 43,5 million in 2002. However the increase was smaller than had been seen in the two previous years.

As to income, median average household, when adjusted for inflation remained last year at 43,318 US dollars. But there are ethnic inequalities: Hispanics dropped 2,6% averaging 32,997 US dollars while blacks, whites and Asians saw no noticeable changes. Nevertheless Asians had the highest annual income, 55,6999 above the 47,777 US dollars of whites. Blacks remained at the bottom of the pay scale averaging 30,000 US dollars.