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Joint Economic Committee Democrats
Poverty Charts
Chart 3.1
Last updated 9/5/06
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In 2005 the poverty rate was 12.6 percent, up from 11.3 percent in 2000. An additional 5.4 million American fell into poverty between 2000 and 2005.
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Poverty tends to rise in recessions and decline during economic expansions. Following the end of the 2001 recession, however, the poverty rate rose for three straight years and remained statistically unchanged from 2004 to 2005.
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Following a steep decline during the 1990s and subsequent increase during and following the recent recession, the poverty rate in 2005 was 1.5 percentage points higher than it was at its lowest point in 1973.
Note: Click here for more information about how poverty is measured.
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