Trends in Deep Poverty: The Influence of Family Structure, Employment Patterns, and the Safety Net
We use our historical SPM to examine the changing face of deep poverty in the United States over the past 50 years. We find government transfers reduce the risk of deep poverty for all population groups examined and the ways in which the significance and role of government programs have changed over time.
Waging War On Poverty: Historical Trends In Poverty Using The Supplemental Poverty Measure
Our historical SPM poverty estimates reveal poverty trends from 1967 to 2012 to be more favorable than previously understood. Government policy has played an important and growing role in reducing overall poverty—and child poverty and deep poverty in particular—especially during economic downturns.