Rising Poverty Rates in 2022: A Setback for Anti-Poverty Efforts

The poverty rate in the United States, particularly among children, increased significantly in 2022 due to the expiration of the enhanced child tax credit introduced during the pandemic. Census Bureau data revealed that 12.4% of children were in poverty last year, the largest jump since 2009. The supplemental poverty rate for all Americans also rose to 12.4%, the first increase since 2010. Median household income decreased by 2.3% from 2021, and the uninsured rate fell slightly. The expiration of pandemic relief programs and tax credits contributed to the increase in child poverty, prompting calls to reinstate the enhanced child tax credit.