Revealed: world’s richest countries with the highest poverty levels
Wealthy nations with the highest number of people in poverty

Over 9% of the world's population is forced to live on less than $1.90 (£1.56) a day. As the super-rich get richer, millions of people are struggling to survive in extreme poverty – even in some of the wealthiest nations on the planet. Using the latest OECD figures, we reveal the rich countries with the highest rates of poverty, based on the number of inhabitants whose income falls below the poverty line. Is yours on the list?
Belgium: 8.1%

Compared to other advanced economies, the gap between rich and poor is narrow in Belgium. Various factors, from the country's high minimum wage of €13.60 an hour ($13.91/£11.46) to its well-funded welfare system, keep the overall rate of poverty comparatively low.
Netherlands: 8.2%

Between 2013 and 2017, the number of people living in poverty in the Netherlands decreased from 787,000 to 618,000. However, the latest figures from the OECD suggest the country's poverty rate is now 8.2%, which represents a small but steady increase over the last few years. The Netherlands currently doesn't have a universal basic income but is renowned for its social security system, which provides a safety net for those who fall on hard times.
Norway: 8.4%

Like the Netherlands, Norway has a robust social security system in place. This is bankrolled by high taxation rates, part of a transparent taxation system that's designed to discourage wealth inequality.
France: 8.4%

The poverty rate in France is low despite the country's relatively high unemployment rate, which has trended around 8% since 2019 before dropping to 7.2% as of 2022. Again, this comes down to the nation's comprehensive welfare system, which provides decent benefits for out-of-work citizens.
Sweden: 8.9%

Like its fellow Scandinavian nations, Sweden has a comprehensive social security system that aims to keep poverty rates low. According to The Borgen Project, the country boasts over 100 trade unions and almost all employees belong to one, helping to protect citizens' careers despite the lack of a national minimum wage. Meanwhile, high taxes fund a free universal healthcare sector.
Hungary: 9.2%

Poland: 9.8%

Poverty in Poland has been on the decline for decades, falling from 11.1% to 9.8% in just the last few years. Data from Statista shows that the groups most at risk of falling into poverty are children and students.
Germany: 9.8%

Finland: 6.3%

Czech Republic: 6.4%

Slovak Republic: 8.4%

Austria: 8.7%

Slovenia: 9.2%

United Kingdom: 10.9%

Portugal: 12.6%

South Korea: 13.8%

Canada: 14.2%

Greece: 14.9%

Spain: 15.3%

Chile: 16.1%

Estonia: 16.1%

Latvia: 16.2%

Lithuania: 16.5%

USA: 16.8%

Turkey: 17.2%

Israel: 19.5%

Costa Rica: 20.6%

South Africa: 26.6%

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