Introduction

  Poverty is a global phenomenon that affects both developing and developed countries. In this article, we will analyze and compare the level of poverty in the United States with other developed countries, such as Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Japan and the Scandinavian countries. In the article, we will discuss the various measures of poverty, the factors contributing to this phenomenon, and the policies and support programs used in these countries to combat poverty.

   Measures of poverty

   1. Absolute poverty

  Absolute poverty refers to the lack of basic necessities such as food, water, shelter, health care and education. It is a measure used mainly in developing countries.

   2. Relative poverty

  Relative poverty is a measure used in developed countries and refers to a situation in which an individual or family's income is significantly lower than the average income in society. Relative poverty is often measured as the percentage of the population living below 50% or 60% of median household income.

   3. Poverty rate

  The poverty rate is the percentage of the population living below a certain poverty line, which can be determined by income or living standards.

   4. Gini coefficient (Gini coefficient)

  The Gini coefficient measures income inequality in a society. The value of the Gini coefficient ranges from 0 (full income equality) to 1 (full income inequality).

   Poverty level in the US

   1. Poverty rate

  According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the poverty rate in the U.S. was about 10.5% in 2019, meaning that about 34 million people were living below the poverty line.

   2. Child poverty

  Child poverty is a particular challenge in the US. In 2019, about 14.4% of children (10.5 million) were living in poverty.

   3. Income inequality

   The United States has one of the highest Gini coefficients among developed countries, at about 0.41 in 2019. High income inequality contributes to problems of poverty and social exclusion.

   Comparison with other developed countries

   1. Canada

   - Poverty rate: Canada's poverty rate was about 10.1% in 2019, which is similar to the US poverty rate.
   - Child Poverty: Canada's child poverty rate was about 8.2% in 2019, which is lower than the US.
   - Income inequality: Canada's Gini coefficient was about 0.31 in 2019, which is lower than in the US, indicating less income inequality.

   2. UK

   - Poverty rate: The poverty rate in the UK was about 11.7% in 2019, which is slightly higher than in the US.
   - Child Poverty: The child poverty rate in the UK was about 19% in 2019, which is higher than in the US.
   - Income inequality: The Gini coefficient in the UK was about 0.34 in 2019, which is lower than in the US, but higher than in Canada.

   3. Germany

   - Poverty rate: Germany's poverty rate was about 9.5% in 2019, which is slightly lower than in the US.
   - Child Poverty: The child poverty rate in Germany was about 13.4% in 2019, which is lower than in the US.
   - Income inequality: Germany's Gini coefficient was about 0.29 in 2019, which is significantly lower than in the US, indicating less income inequality.

   4. France

   - Poverty rate: France's poverty rate was about 8.3% in 2019, which is lower than in the US.
   - Child poverty: The child poverty rate in France was about 11.7% in 2019, which is lower than in the US.
   - Income inequality: The Gini coefficient in France was about 0.29 in 2019, which is significantly lower than in the US.

   5. Japan

   - Poverty rate: Japan's poverty rate was about 15.7% in 2018, which is higher than the US.
   - Child Poverty: The child poverty rate in Japan was about 13.9% in 2018, which is lower than in the US.
   - Income inequality: Japan's Gini coefficient was about 0.33 in 2018, which is lower than in the US, but higher than in Germany and France.

   6. Scandinavian countries (Sweden, Norway, Denmark)

   - Poverty rate: The poverty rate in Scandinavian countries is much lower than in the US, at around 5-6% in 2019.
   - Child Poverty: The child poverty rate in the Nordic countries is also much lower than in the US, at around 3-4% in 2019.
   - Income inequality: The Gini coefficient in the Nordic countries is around 0.25-0.27 in 2019, indicating lower income inequality compared to the US.

   Factors contributing to the poverty gap

   1. Social policies

  Differences in poverty levels between developed countries can be partly attributed to different approaches to social policies.

   - USA: The United States has a more diverse welfare system, with a heavy emphasis on private health insurance and limited social support programs. High income inequality is associated with limited state intervention in income redistribution.
   - European countries: European countries such as Germany, France and the United Kingdom have more extensive welfare systems that include public health insurance, welfare benefits, housing support and family support programs. These policies contribute to lower income inequality and lower levels of poverty.
   - Scandinavian countries: Scandinavian countries have the most extensive welfare systems, including a generous system of benefits, free education, public health insurance and housing support. These policies contribute to very low levels of poverty and income inequality.

   2. Labor Markets

  Differences in the structure of labor markets and employment policies can also affect poverty levels.

   - USA: The United States has a more flexible labor market, with fewer regulations on employment and wages. Low minimum wages and limited labor rights contribute to greater income inequality and higher levels of poverty.
   - European countries: European countries have more regulated labor markets, with higher minimum wages, greater labor rights and stronger unions. These policies contribute to lower income inequality and lower levels of poverty.
   - Scandinavian countries: Scandinavian countries have highly regulated labor markets, with high minimum wages, strong labor rights and active unions. These policies contribute to very low levels of poverty and income inequality.

   3. Education systems

  Education systems affect social mobility and the ability of individuals to improve their economic situation.

   - USA: The education system in the US is more diverse, with a heavy emphasis on private schools and colleges. The cost of higher education is high, which can limit access to education for low-income individuals.
   - European countries: European countries have more balanced education systems, with a greater emphasis on public schools and universities. The cost of higher education is lower, providing greater access to education for low-income people.
   - Scandinavian countries: Scandinavian countries have very extensive education systems, including free education at all levels. These policies contribute to greater social mobility and lower levels of poverty.

   4. Housing Policies

  Housing policies affect access to affordable housing and life stability for individuals.

   - USA: Housing policies in the U.S. are less extensive, with limited public housing and housing support programs. The high cost of renting and purchasing housing contributes to higher levels of poverty and homelessness.
   - European countries: European countries have more extensive housing policies, including social housing, rental support programs and support for the homeless. These policies contribute to lower levels of poverty and homelessness.
   - Scandinavian countries: Scandinavian countries have very extensive housing policies, including social housing, rental housing support and homeless support programs. These policies contribute to very low levels of poverty and homelessness.

   Policies and support programs

   1. Social policies and benefits

  Social policies and benefits play a key role in combating poverty and providing financial support for low-income people.

   - USA: Social programs in the U.S., such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and Medicaid, offer support to low-income people. However, access to these programs is limited and the level of support is lower than in other developed countries.
   - European countries: European countries have more extensive benefit systems, including child benefits, unemployment benefits, housing support and public health insurance. These policies contribute to reducing poverty and income inequality.
   - Scandinavian countries: Scandinavian countries have the most extensive benefit systems, including generous child benefits, unemployment benefits, housing support and public health insurance. These policies contribute to very low levels of poverty and income inequality.

   2. Employment and minimum wage policies

  Employment policies and minimum wages have an impact on the financial situation of low-income workers.

   - USA: The minimum wage in the U.S. is $7.25 per hour at the federal level, which is lower than in many other developed countries. Some states and cities have implemented a higher minimum wage, but it is still lower than in European and Scandinavian countries.
   - European countries: European countries have higher minimum wages, which are updated regularly. These policies contribute to greater financial stability for low-income workers and poverty reduction.
   - Scandinavian countries: Scandinavian countries have very high minimum wages that are set based on negotiations between unions and employers. These policies contribute to very low levels of poverty and income inequality.

   3. Education and vocational training systems

  Education systems and training programs play a key role in ensuring greater social mobility and the ability of individuals to improve their economic situation.

   - USA: The educational system in the US is more diverse, with high costs for higher education. Training programs and vocational courses are available, but availability and quality can vary by region.
   - European countries: European countries have more balanced education systems, with lower costs of higher education and a greater emphasis on public schools and universities. Training programs and vocational courses are more accessible and supported by governments.
   - Scandinavian countries: Scandinavian countries have very extensive education systems, including free education at all levels and wide availability of training programs and vocational courses. These policies contribute to greater social mobility and lower levels of poverty.

   Conclusions and recommendations

   1. Increase funding for social policies

  Increasing funding for social policies is key to effectively combating poverty and income inequality. Benefit programs, housing support and public health insurance can significantly improve the quality of life for low-income people.

   2. Increase the minimum wage

  Raising the minimum wage to a level that meets basic needs can help increase the financial stability of low-income workers and reduce poverty.

   3. Investing in education and vocational training

  Investing in education and training programs is key to ensuring greater social mobility and the ability of individuals to improve their economic situation. Access to free education at all levels and wide availability of training programs can help reduce poverty.

   4. Development of housing policies

  Expansion of housing policies, including the construction of affordable housing, rental housing support and homeless support programs, is key to ensuring stable and affordable housing.