Share of population living in extreme poverty (Michalis Moatsos) in United States
United States: Share of population living in extreme poverty (Michalis Moatsos) was 1.0% in 2018. ◆ Volatile
Share of population living in extreme poverty in United States, 1820–2018
Source: Michalis Moatsos (2021) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
United States recorded 1.0% for share of population living in extreme poverty in 2018.
That represents a change of unchanged over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of population living in extreme poverty in United States peaked at 52.0% in 1820 and was at its lowest, 0.0%, in 1960.
That places United States 14th out of 25 countries with data for 2018, putting it in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Share of population living in extreme poverty (Michalis Moatsos) in United States, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1820 | 52.0% | — |
| 1830 | 43.0% | -17.3% |
| 1840 | 34.0% | -20.9% |
| 1850 | 26.0% | -23.5% |
| 1860 | 28.0% | +7.7% |
| 1870 | 31.0% | +10.7% |
| 1880 | 18.0% | -41.9% |
| 1890 | 9.0% | -50.0% |
| 1900 | 9.0% | +0.0% |
| 1910 | 8.0% | -11.1% |
| 1920 | 2.0% | -75.0% |
| 1930 | 4.0% | +100.0% |
| 1940 | 1.0% | -75.0% |
| 1950 | 1.0% | +0.0% |
| 1960 | 0.0% | -100.0% |
| 1970 | 0.0% | — |
| 1980 | 1.0% | — |
| 1990 | 0.0% | -100.0% |
| 2000 | 1.0% | — |
| 2010 | 1.0% | +0.0% |
| 2018 | 1.0% | +0.0% |
United States compared with similar countries
- United States's 1.0% is above the median for high income countries, which is 1.0%, 1.0× the median. (13 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1820s | 52.0% | 52.0% | 52.0% | 1 |
| 1830s | 43.0% | 43.0% | 43.0% | 1 |
| 1840s | 34.0% | 34.0% | 34.0% | 1 |
| 1850s | 26.0% | 26.0% | 26.0% | 1 |
| 1860s | 28.0% | 28.0% | 28.0% | 1 |
| 1870s | 31.0% | 31.0% | 31.0% | 1 |
| 1880s | 18.0% | 18.0% | 18.0% | 1 |
| 1890s | 9.0% | 9.0% | 9.0% | 1 |
| 1900s | 9.0% | 9.0% | 9.0% | 1 |
| 1910s | 8.0% | 8.0% | 8.0% | 1 |
| 1920s | 2.0% | 2.0% | 2.0% | 1 |
| 1930s | 4.0% | 4.0% | 4.0% | 1 |
| 1940s | 1.0% | 1.0% | 1.0% | 1 |
| 1950s | 1.0% | 1.0% | 1.0% | 1 |
| 1960s | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 1 |
| 1970s | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 1 |
| 1980s | 1.0% | 1.0% | 1.0% | 1 |
| 1990s | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 1 |
| 2000s | 1.0% | 1.0% | 1.0% | 1 |
| 2010s | 1.0% | 1.0% | 1.0% | 2 |
Countries ranked near United States
More poverty & inequality data for United States
- Number of income/consumption surveys in the past decade available via the World Bank 9 surveys (2025)
- Number of income/consumption surveys in the past decade available via 0 surveys per person (2025)
- Number of income/consumption surveys in the past decade available via 0 surveys per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Fertility rate vs. share living in extreme poverty 1.62 live births per woman (2023)
- Cereal yield vs. share in extreme poverty 8,414 kg per hectare (2024)
- Cereal yield vs extreme poverty, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Cereal yield vs extreme poverty, annual growth rate 1 % change on previous year (2024)
- Tax revenues vs income inequality, gaps filled 24.85 (2023)
- Tax revenue as share of GDP vs. income inequality 24.8% (2023)
- Tax revenues vs income inequality, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is share of population living in extreme poverty in United States?
- Share of population living in extreme poverty in United States was 1.0% in 2018, according to Michalis Moatsos (2021) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest share of population living in extreme poverty recorded in United States?
- The highest recorded value was 52.0% in 1820.
- What is the lowest share of population living in extreme poverty recorded in United States?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.0% in 1960.
- How does United States rank for share of population living in extreme poverty?
- United States ranks 14th out of 25 countries with data for 2018.
- Is share of population living in extreme poverty rising or falling in United States?
- Over the last ten years it is unchanged. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this United States data come from?
- The figures come from Michalis Moatsos (2021) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Share of population living in extreme poverty. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Share of the population unable to meet basic needs (including minimal nutrition and adequately heated shelter) according to prices of locally-available goods and services at the time..