Argentina’s poverty levels hit 57% of population, a 20-year high in January, study finds

By ALMUDENA CALATRAVA
Associated Press

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — A study has found more than 57% of Argentina’s people are considered poor, the worst poverty level in 20 years. The findings unleashed accusations between former Vice President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner and the government of President Javier Milei. The study was done by the social debt observatory at the Catholic University of Argentina. Its reports on poverty cover a larger area than those done by the national statistics agency and its findings are seldom questioned. The study released over the weekend found the increase in poverty levels in January were partly due to the devaluation of the peso shortly after Milei took office. It increased the price of food and other items.