Argentina’s poverty rises to 32 percent under Milei with more pain forecast

Argentina’s poverty rate has risen to 32.3% in the first half of 2026 under President Javier Milei, partly reversing previous gains. Extreme poverty increased from 6.3% to 7.5%, and unemployment rose to 7.9%, the highest since 2021. Household income per person grew by 11.5%, but the cost of necessities increased nearly 20%, leading to a worsening economic situation. The Catholic University of Argentina estimates the poverty rate could reach 35% by year's end.