The highlights of this statistical update include a new profile of the extremely poor, poor, and near poor population of young children; the use of an alternative measure of young child poverty that provides new insights into the impact of programs and policies on the economic well-being of young children; and a brief examination of why the…

This report provides statistical information about young children and their families living in poverty. It includes the following data: (1) from 1987 to 1992, the number of poor children under age 6 rose from 5 to 6 million; (2) from 1972 through 1992, the poverty rates have increased dramatically for children under age 6; (3) in 1992, 55 percent…