Venezuela reduces extreme poverty

Extreme poverty in Venezuela, measured on the basis of unmet needs, has been steadily reduced from 10.8% in 1999, to 5.5% last year, according to Elías Eljuri, president of the National Statistics Institute (INE) in Caracas. The method used defines poverty in a comprehensive fashion, with several factors considered, including education, overcrowding and the lack of basic services in homes. In each one of these areas, the country has made substantial progress. Specifically, in the area of education, information is gathered about the number of children between seven and 12 years of age who do not attend school, a statistic which has been reduced from 1.8% to 0.7%. Overcrowding in homes, which is defined as more than three people sleeping in one room, has fallen from 14.6% to 9.5% over the course of the Bolivarian Revolution to date; while the number of dwellings without basic service systems has fallen from 15.7% to 9.5%. The number of families with poverty level incomes has grown from 6% to 8.8%, although Eljuri explained that these statistics are affected by inflation, and that several important factors are not reflected, such as free meals in schools provided to 4.3 million children; more than 40 million books distributed free of charge to students; gas, electricity and transportation subsidies; end of year bonuses; and support provided by a variety of government social programs. He cited growth in the number of pensioners - 387,000 in 1999, today numbering 2.5 million; primary and secondary school attendance of 76%, up from 44%; an increase in university enrollment from 800,000 students to 2.5 million; and 82% of the population receiving services through the public healthcare system. At the same time Eljuri reported that Venezuela has the lowest Gini coefficient in Latin America, indicating that it is the least unequal country in the region. Referring to inflation, Eljuri emphasized that the right wing’s economic war has distorted the economy, and that efforts are being concentrated on increasing national production and stopping contraband operations which redirect 30% of the country’s products abroad, creating inflationary pressure on domestic prices. In this context, the government is mounting an economic offensive, focused on production, maintenance of supplies and fair prices. Better jobs Eljuri reiterated that unemployment in Venezuela has been significantly reduced, from 14.6% in 1999, to 7.1% currently. He added that during the world economic crisis 2009-2010, the country maintained a stable 8% rate, while in some large capitalist countries more than 15 million people were jobless, with the rate in Spain reaching 25%. Additionally, the quality of employment available has improved, the INE President said, explaining, “It is not true that the number of buhoneros (informal vendors) has increased. Some five million people work in Venezuela’s informal economy, and the rate has declined some 10 points. That includes 1.25 million people employed in enterprises with less than five workers, and they have social security and pay taxes on their earnings (ISLR). There are 3.5 million who are self-employed and have incomes which are not low.” He added that only between 300,000 and 400,000 individuals are working as informal vendors, not a large number given the country’s population. Eljuri additionally emphasized that all Venezuelans now have the right to social security and an old-age pension. (AVN)