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Socioeconomic inequality in Argentina

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2026-09-10 20:58 UTC → 2026-09-10 23:07 UTC · added ~~removed~~

Recent economic reports highlight significant socioeconomic challenges in Argentina, focusing on child poverty and broader class structures. A report from the Observatorio de la Deuda Social Argentina (UCA) details the multidimensional nature of child ~~poverty. While child poverty~~ poverty, which peaked at 70.4% in ~~2024, it~~ 2024 and was projected to affect 42.5% of children by 2026. ~~The study emphasizes that economic hardship extends beyond food insecurity to include emotional distress and difficulties in accessing basic necessities like clothing.~~ Social assistance programs ~~such as~~ like the Asignación Universal por Hijo (AUH) ~~and Tarjeta Alimentar are noted as~~ remain essential for mitigating extreme indigence. Data from Consultora W indicates that more than half of Argentine households belong to the lower class, divided into a non-poor lower class (~30%) and a poor lower class (~21-22%). This combined segment exceeds the total of all middle and upper classes. A significant income gap persists, with 78% of households earning less than the average monthly net income of $2.8 million pesos. The social structure is segmented into five tiers: the upper class (5%), upper middle class (17%), lower middle class (26%), non-poor lower class (~30%), and poor lower class (~22%). In Buenos Aires, the cost of living continues to rise. According to the Buenos Aires Institute of Statistics and Censuses (IDECBA), the total basic basket (CBT) required to avoid poverty for a typical family of four rose to $1,651,798 in August 2026, up from $1,229,444 in August 2025. rise; IDECBA defines the ‘middle class’ threshold as an income of at least ~~$2,603,556.34, while those earning above $8,331,380.27 are categorized as ‘affluent.’~~ $2,603,556.34. New data from August 2026 ~~indicates~~ shows that while monthly inflation slowed to 1.7%, the costs of the Total Basic Basket (CBT) and the Basic Food Basket (CBA) rose by 2.6%, outpacing general inflation. On an annual basis, the CBT rose by 38.3% and the CBA by 39.6%. For a typical family of four, the income required to avoid poverty reached $1,605,497, while $726,497 was needed to avoid indigence. Regional disparities are notable, with Analytica identifying Santa Cruz as having the highest monthly grocery costs, exceeding $1,000,000. Furthermore, IERAL reports that Argentina remains one of the most expensive countries for food and services, being the most expensive in 74% of surveyed cases compared to nine other nations. Medicine prices also remain a concern, with some frequently used drugs costing up to 6.7 times more than in India.

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