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Trends in poverty gaps among older people

PovertyHow has it changed?

This graph shows that the average poverty gaps (the difference between the average incomes of those below the poverty line and the poverty line) among people aged 65+ in income support households were much lower than those across the whole population between 1999-00 and 2015-16. This is explained by the proximity between pension payments and the poverty line. However, the poverty gap for older couples in income support households rose over the period, from 18% of the after-housing poverty line in 2003-04 to a peak of 29% in 2015-16, probably reflecting increases in housing costs.

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