[Argentina] Kirchner: Domestic Poverty Decline

from Prensa Latina

President Nestor Kirchner announced a 4.5 percent decline of poverty rates in Argentina.

Kirchner confirmed that poverty dropped from 57.5 percent when he assumed office in May 2003 to 34 percent and destitution from 13.6 to 12.5 percent.

The latest statistics from the National Institute of Statistics and Census (INDEC) of Jul 2005 said the scourge affected 38.5 percent Argentineans.

Still he admitted to an increase in the unfair distribution of wealth, confirming a report from INDEC, a branch of the Economy Ministry.

The INDEC report also said that 10 percent the rich had 31-fold larger income that the poor at the third quarter of 2005 but the president said there will be a balance on the next quarter.

Disparity surfaces in the purchasing power of the 20 percent richer and 20 percent the poorest segment: the current gap is 15.3 fold when it ranged between 12 and 14 fold lately.

However, Economy Minister Felisa Miceli questions the figures and regretted that INDEC method does not reflect the official efforts to improve the social situation.

She added that the inquiry relied on the system used in the 90s when the government did not build houses, distributed medication for free, nor targeted social development or public education.

Hence, the Minister announced changes in INDEC methodology to calculate income rates beyond currency, joining world standard system.