In February 2026, a family of four in Argentina required 1,397,672 pesos to avoid falling below the poverty line, as per the National Institute of Statistics and Censuses (INDEC).
In February 2026, the National Institute of Statistics and Censuses (INDEC) reported that a family of four, consisting of two adults and two children in Argentina, needed to earn 1,397,672 pesos to not be classified as poor. Additionally, the same family required 644,088 pesos to not fall into the category of indigence. This alarming figure underscores the rising costs of living in the country, reflecting economic challenges that many families face amid increasing inflation rates.
The report highlighted that in February, the monthly variation of the basic food basket (CBA) was 3.2%, while the total basic basket (CBT) saw a slightly lower increase at 2.7%. Year-on-year, these baskets experienced significant increases of 37.6% for the CBA and 32.1% for the CBT, indicating a persistent inflationary trend that affects basic necessities. These statistics are critical as they provide insight into the economic pressures that impact the quality of life for many Argentine families.
Furthermore, the release of the poverty line data coincided with the inflation rate announcement for February, which was reported at 2.9%. This marked a return to the practice of publishing both metrics simultaneously after a deviation in the previous month. Such data is essential for policymakers and social organizations to address the economic disparities and implement measures aimed at alleviating poverty in the face of rising living costs in Argentina.
