In October, authorities announced the results of the National Household Survey, conducted by the Institute of Statistics and Census (INEC). It emphasized that poverty was reduced by 1.8% compared to 2014.
The Government was proud of these numbers because that social index dropped for the first time in 7 years. This situation can be considered the greatest achievement of Solís Rivera’s administration during 2016.
The survey revealed that overall poverty went from 22.3% in 2014 to 20.5% in 2016. There were 10,400 households who escaped poverty in the fourth quarter, representing just over 22,000 people.
Through Bridge to Development, a strategy aimed at reducing poverty, aid controls were improved, so that resources truly reached those in need. This, added to monthly subsidies provided to people, and low inflation, made it possible to lower the number of poor people that, as admitted by the Executive itself, remains high.
Vice President Ana Helena Chacón, coordinator of Bridge to Development, highlighted that the implementation of this program is assisting the 75 districts with the highest poverty rates in Costa Rica.