37.9 million Americans are currently living in poverty, accounting for 11.6% of the total population. That’s despite the fact that America ranks first as the richest nation in the world in terms of GDP. Poverty in the U.S. is not only a humanitarian crisis but an economic one as well. About 11% of the federal budget, or $665 billion goes to economic security programs every year. Child poverty alone is estimated to cost the U.S. over $1 trillion based on the latest research. So how did poverty become such a big issue in the U.S. and why is it so difficult to end it?

Chapters:
0:00 — Introduction
02:22 — Reasons
06:50 — Measuring poverty
10:59 — Solutions

Produced by: Juhohn Lee
Supervising Producer: Lindsey Jacobson
Graphics: Christina Locopo
Additional Camera by: Charlotte Morabito
Special thanks to: River Fund

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Why The U.S. Can’t End Poverty