Poverty and Inequality

Subtopics: Inequality Trends Economic Security Program Successes

Policy Brief

Increasing Families' Incomes Helps Meet Children's Needs and Reduces Child Welfare Involvement

April 29, 2026 - Victoria Hunter Gibney and Urvi Patel

Policymakers can help keep children safe and supported at home by better aligning families’ resources with what children need to thrive.

Report

Poverty and Inequality

Federal Data Are Disappearing as Statistical Agencies Face Budget Cuts and Political Pressure

September 29, 2025 - Victoria Hunter Gibney and Cara Brumfield

Statement

Poverty and Inequality

Republican Megabill Will Erode Much of the Progress on Health Coverage and Push Poverty and Inequality Higher

September 9, 2025 - Sharon Parrott

Report

Social Security

Social Security Lifts More People Above the Poverty Line Than Any Other Program

February 25, 2026 - Kathleen Romig

Report

Poverty and Inequality

Trump Administration, Congressional Republicans Are Worsening Affordability Challenges in Many Ways

December 18, 2025 - Brendan Duke

Research Note

Poverty and Inequality

With Stronger Income Support, Young Adults Shifted Focus From Work to School, Major Study Finds

January 29, 2025 - Arloc Sherman

Report

Poverty and Inequality

A Guide to Statistics on Historical Trends in Income Inequality

December 11, 2024 - Arloc Sherman , Danilo Trisi and Josephine Cureton

Blog

Poverty and Inequality

Federal Data Inequities in U.S. Territories Hinder Inclusive and Precise Policymaking

August 7, 2024 - Javier Balmaceda

Blog

Poverty and Inequality

Analyzing the Census Bureau’s 2024 Poverty, Income, and Health Insurance Data

September 15, 2025 - CBPP

Block-Granting Not a Solution to Benefit Cliffs

June 3, 2026 - Nick Gwyn

Report

Federal Budget

Trump Administration’s Five-State Funding Freeze Is Unlawful, Harmful, and a Major Threat to People in Every State

January 23, 2026 - Nick Gwyn

Testimony

Income Security

Opportunities to Deliver Critical Child Support Reforms

January 21, 2026 - Nick Gwyn

Report

Federal Budget

A Record of Historic Harm in the First Year of Trump’s Second Term

January 14, 2026 - CBPP

Policy Basics

Reducing poverty and inequality and improving opportunity are major national challenges.

We analyze economic developments affecting low- and moderate-income people, including trends in poverty and income inequality. In addition, we analyze the extent to which economic security programs reduce poverty and racial inequities and help children succeed.