# Uruguay child welfare and poverty policy > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/uruguay-child-welfare-and-poverty-policy > Updated: 2026-08-19T03:06:00.000Z. Sources: 8. Developments: 3. In Uruguay, the government has moved to address child poverty through significant budgetary shifts. Initially, officials announced plans for a Unified Child and Adolescent Allowance, intended to add approximately US$1.26 billion to existing support programs by 2027. This initiative aimed to reduce poverty among children under three by an estimated 25%. Subsequent developments highlighted the severity of the issue, with Minister of Economy and Finance Gabriel Oddone describing child poverty as a ‘time bomb’ for social coexistence. Data indicated that approximately 29.1% of children under six live below the poverty line, a rate significantly higher than the general population poverty rate of 16.6% reported in 2025. To combat these figures, the government proposed strengthening the childhood transfer system via the Accountability Bill, which included a budget increase of 31 million dollars. However, this proposal faced opposition from parliamentary parties. Recent data from the National Institute of Statistics (INE) has revealed a gap between official metrics and public perception. While the official poverty rate remains 16.6%, a subjective measurement indicates that 31.3% of Uruguayans perceive themselves as poor. Marcelo Bisogno, the technical director of the INE, noted that 20.7% of the population does not meet official income-based poverty criteria but still feels poor. Amidst these findings, Minister Oddone has emphasized that one-third of children in the country live in poverty. He has advocated for increased investment in child welfare and security, including the creation of 300 new police positions, to maintain social stability and attract investment. ## Claims - 31.3% of Uruguayans report feeling poor in subjective measurements. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The official poverty rate in Uruguay for 2025 is 16.6%. (corroborated by 3 sources) - 20.7% of the population perceives themselves as poor despite not meeting official income-based poverty criteria. (corroborated by 3 sources) - 10.5% of the population is both officially poor by income and perceives themselves as poor. (corroborated by 3 sources) - One third of children in Uruguay are living in poverty. (single source) - The government is planning to create 300 new police positions. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-19: Uruguay reports 31.3% subjective poverty rate Uruguay reports a 31.3% subjective poverty rate, significantly higher than the official 16.6% income-based rate. Officials also warn that one-third of the nation's children live in poverty. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/uruguay-reports-313-subjective-poverty-rate ### 2026-08-13: Uruguay faces rising child poverty concerns Uruguayan Economy Minister Gabriel Oddone warns that child poverty is a ‘time bomb,’ noting that nearly 30% of children under six live below the poverty line. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/uruguay-faces-rising-child-poverty-concerns ### 2026-07-16: Uruguay and Costa Rica overhaul child welfare funding Uruguay adds $1.26 bn for a new child allowance, aiming to cut child poverty, while Costa Rica cuts ₡70 bn from child and housing budgets, redirecting funds to propaganda. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/uruguay-and-costa-rica-overhaul-child-welfare-funding --- Cite as: Uruguay child welfare and poverty policy. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/uruguay-child-welfare-and-poverty-policy