The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #64420 Message #1053084
Posted By: Mark Clark
13-Nov-03 - 09:59 AM
Thread Name: BS: Child poverty in the UK
Subject: RE: BS: Child poverty in the UK
Unfortunately, not all America's poor have been so fortunate. According to figures released by the U.S. Census Bureau in September 1996, 13.8% of Americans live in poverty. Many more are on the borderline. Poverty affects all ages, but an astonishing 48% percent of its victims are children:
About 15 million children -- one out of every four -- live below the official poverty line.
22% of Americans under the age of 18 -- and 25% under age 12 -- are hungry or at the risk of being hungry.
Everyday 2,660 children are born into poverty; 27 die because of it.
Children and families are the fastest growing group in the homeless population, representing 40%.