Employed population below international poverty line, by sex and age in South America
South America: Employed population below international poverty line, by sex and age was 3.1% in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Employed population below international poverty line, by sex and age in South America, 2000–2025
Source: United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database.
Analysis
In 2025, employed population below international poverty line, by sex and age in South America stood at 3.1%.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 1.6% on the previous year and down 3.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, employed population below international poverty line, by sex and age in South America peaked at 14.2% in 2001 and was at its lowest, 2.9%, in 2014.
That places South America 22nd out of 33 groups with data for 2025, putting it in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Employed population below international poverty line, by sex and age in South America, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 14.1% | — |
| 2001 | 14.2% | +1.4% |
| 2002 | 13.7% | -3.7% |
| 2003 | 12.9% | -5.9% |
| 2004 | 11.3% | -12.5% |
| 2005 | 10.1% | -10.9% |
| 2006 | 8.7% | -14.0% |
| 2007 | 7.7% | -11.6% |
| 2008 | 6.6% | -13.3% |
| 2009 | 6.1% | -8.4% |
| 2010 | 5.1% | -15.5% |
| 2011 | 4.7% | -9.4% |
| 2012 | 4.1% | -11.4% |
| 2013 | 3.4% | -18.7% |
| 2014 | 2.9% | -13.4% |
| 2015 | 3.2% | +11.0% |
| 2016 | 3.8% | +18.6% |
| 2017 | 4.2% | +9.2% |
| 2018 | 4.2% | +0.0% |
| 2019 | 4.4% | +5.5% |
| 2020 | 5.8% | +30.9% |
| 2021 | 4.9% | -15.5% |
| 2022 | 3.6% | -25.3% |
| 2023 | 3.2% | -11.0% |
| 2024 | 3.2% | -2.2% |
| 2025 | 3.1% | -1.6% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 10.5% | 6.1% | 14.2% | 10 |
| 2010s | 4.0% | 2.9% | 5.1% | 10 |
| 2020s | 4.0% | 3.1% | 5.8% | 6 |
Countries ranked near South America
- 19 North Macedonia 1.7% compare
- 20 Panama 1.6% compare
- 21 Armenia 1.1% compare
- 22 Brazil 0.8% compare
- 23 Dominican Republic 0.6% compare
- 24 Mongolia 0.3% compare
- 25 Montenegro 0.3% compare
More poverty & inequality data for South America
Frequently asked questions
- What is employed population below international poverty line, by sex and age in South America?
- Employed population below international poverty line, by sex and age in South America was 3.1% in 2025, according to United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database.
- What is the highest employed population below international poverty line, by sex and age recorded in South America?
- The highest recorded value was 14.2% in 2001.
- What is the lowest employed population below international poverty line, by sex and age recorded in South America?
- The lowest recorded value was 2.9% in 2014.
- How does South America rank for employed population below international poverty line, by sex and age?
- South America ranks 22nd out of 33 groups with data for 2025.
- Is employed population below international poverty line, by sex and age rising or falling in South America?
- Over the last ten years it is down 3.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South America data come from?
- The figures come from United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database, published as part of Employed population below international poverty line, by sex and age (%). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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