The latest findings from the Argentine Social Debt Observatory of the Argentine Catholic University (ODSA-UCA) have shed light on a distressing reality unfolding in Argentina, painting a stark picture of escalating poverty levels that have surged to alarming heights. According to the comprehensive report released by ODSA-UCA, the first quarter of 2024 has seen poverty rates soar to a staggering 55.5%, a notable increase from 44.7% recorded in the third quarter of 2023. Concurrently, extreme poverty figures have spiked from 9.6% to 17.5% during the same period, underscoring the depth of the social and economic challenges gripping the nation.
The report, titled ‘Structural social debts in Argentine society’, outlines the profound impact of this economic downturn, with an estimated 24.9 million urban residents in the country falling below the poverty line, while approximately 7.8 million individuals are plunged into conditions of extreme poverty, or destitution. The stark statistics further reveal a concerning trend of total food insecurity affecting 24.7% of individuals, 20.8% of families, and a distressing 32.2% of children and adolescents in the surveyed urban areas.
In addition to the harrowing figures on food insecurity, the report highlights the dire circumstances faced by a significant portion of the population, with 10.9% of individuals, 8.8% of families, and 13.9% of children and adolescents grappling with serious food insecurity, representing a critical humanitarian crisis that demands urgent attention and intervention.
The regional breakdown provided in the report sheds further light on the disparities within Argentina, particularly in the Buenos Aires metropolitan region (AMBA), where total food insecurity affects 26.4% of individuals, 21.8% of families, and a staggering 35% of children and adolescents. The prevalence of serious food insecurity in this area is equally troubling, with rates standing at 9.9%, 12.7%, and 16.5%, respectively, underscoring the stark realities faced by vulnerable populations in one of the country’s most populous regions.
The findings from the ODSA-UCA report serve as a sobering reminder of the urgent need for targeted social policies, economic reforms, and robust interventions to address the deepening economic crisis and mitigate the burgeoning social inequalities that threaten the fabric of Argentine society. As the nation grapples with the devastating impact of rising poverty rates and widespread food insecurity, concerted efforts must be made to safeguard the most vulnerable members of the population and ensure a more equitable and sustainable future for all Argentinians.