Argentina's poverty rate reaches 32.3% in first half of 2026

Argentina's poverty rate stood at 32.3% in the first half of 2026, according to figures reported by Anadolu Agency, underscoring the continued economic strain on millions of households in the country.

The report notes that the cost of a basic food basket, the benchmark used to measure whether a household can meet essential nutritional needs, reached approximately $440 during the period. At the same time, indigent households, those unable to afford even that basic basket, had an average income of around $290, leaving a significant gap between costs and earnings for the country's poorest residents.

A persistent economic challenge

The figures reflect the ongoing difficulty Argentina has faced in bringing down poverty levels even as the government pursues broader economic stabilization measures. A poverty rate above 30% means close to a third of the population lives below the income threshold needed to cover basic goods and services.

The gap between the cost of the basic food basket and the income of indigent households highlights the acute pressure facing the most vulnerable segment of the population, for whom even minimal nutritional needs remain difficult to meet.

The data adds to a broader picture of economic hardship that has shaped public debate in Argentina in recent years, as authorities balance efforts to control inflation and stabilize the currency against the immediate needs of low-income households.