Child Poverty

Nearly 14 million children in the United States – 19% of all children – live in families with incomes below the federal poverty level – $22,050 a year for a family of four. Research shows that, on average, families need an income of about twice that level to cover basic expenses. Using this standard, 41% of children live in low-income families.

Most of these children have parents who work, but low wages and unstable employment leave their families struggling to make ends meet. Poverty can impede children’s ability to learn and contribute to social, emotional, and behavioral problems. Poverty also can contribute to poor health and mental health. Risks are greatest for children who experience poverty when they are young and/or experience deep and persistent poverty.

Research is clear that poverty is the single greatest threat to children’s well-being. But effective public policies – to make work pay for low-income parents and to provide high-quality early care and learning experiences for their children – can make a difference. Investments in the most vulnerable children are also critical.

Publications

• Asset Poverty and Debt Among Families with Children
  Brief, February 2010
• Who are America’s Poor Children?
  The Official Story
  Brief, January 2010
• Child Poverty and Intergenerational Mobility
  Brief, December 2009
• Ten Important Questions About Child Poverty and Family Economic Hardship
  Brochure, December 2009
• Childhood and Intergenerational Poverty
  The Long-Term Consequences of Growing Up Poor
  Brief, November 2009
• Low-income Children in the United States
  National and State Trend Data, 1998-2008
  Report, November 2009
• Basic Facts About Low-income Children
  Children Under Age 18
  Fact Sheet, November 2009
• Basic Facts About Low-income Children
  Children Under Age 3
  Fact Sheet, November 2009