38 pct of Extremadura lives in Poverty

 

The number of Spaniards living in poverty increased by 1% last year compared to 2009, now standing at 21.8% as unemployment rises, according to a survey released yesterday by the National Institute of Statistics (INE).

"Poverty" is defined as being a two-child family with income under 15,820 euros a year. The average Spanish income fell last year by 4.4% on the previous year to 24,890 euros. In the case of a single adult the poverty threshold is 7,533 euros a year.

The total number of unemployed increased by a net totals of 370,100 last year to reach 4.6 million, whilst the economy shrank by 0.1%

The hardest hit region, with the largest numbers of those living below the poverty line is Extremadura with 38%, whilst Navarre was the most resilient region with 7.3%.