INDEC: Poverty Rate Jumps to 32.3% in First Half of 2026, Reversing Milei-Era Decline

INDEC reported the poverty rate rose to 32.3% in the first half of 2026, up 4.1 points from 28.2% in the second half of 2025, as incomes failed to keep pace with the cost of living — average per-capita household income rose 11.5% while the basic basket used to set the poverty line rose nearly 20%. Roughly 9.7 million people across 31 surveyed urban areas live below the poverty line, including 2.25 million in extreme poverty; nearly 45% of Argentines aged 14 and under are classified as poor. A September AtlasIntel survey found the deterioration concentrated among lower-income voters — disapproval among respondents earning up to roughly $650/month climbed to nearly 70% (from 57% a year earlier), with approval in that bracket falling below 30%. Nationally, AtlasIntel put Milei's approval at 38.1% against 58% disapproval, one year before his 2027 reelection bid.