Measuring poverty on a spectrum instead of an arbitrary line conveys a more accurate picture of inequality

An economist proposes a new method of estimating the scope of poverty in different countries.

By: Olivier Sterck, University of Oxford, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: March 6, 2026

Words: 1,170

Last Updated: 3 days, 20 hours ago

By Olivier Sterck, University of Oxford

Michael W. Green, a Wall Street investor, created a buzz in late 2025 by arguing that the U.S. poverty line should be jacked up to US$140,000 for a family of four. Currently, a family of that size has to be eking by on $33,000 a year to qualify as poor in the federal government’s eyes.

His critique builds on a broader debate about how to measure poverty in …

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