Rethinking Poverty Metrics

This chapter explores the complexities of measuring poverty in America, focusing on the limitations of traditional survey methods and the importance of incorporating administrative data. It highlights how underreported income and the distinction between consumption and income can misrepresent the financial realities of those deemed impoverished. The discussion also challenges common misconceptions about poverty in the U.S. compared to developing nations, emphasizing the role of government assistance in shaping living standards.