Venezuela's statistics institute trumpets reduction of structural poverty

The president of the Venezuelan National Statistics Institute (INE) Elías Elijuri disclosed the latest results of the national census conducted in 2011 and announced that there has been a significant reduction in structural poverty in Venezuela.

"The number of non-poor climbed from 67% to 75.43% whereas that of the poor slipped from 21.64% to 17.60%. In the meantime, extreme poverty dropped from 11.36% to 6.97%," Eljuri stressed.

The president of the statistics institute rejected academic reports suggesting that poverty has not been cut in Venezuela. Elijuri said such reports were questionable.

Elijuri noted that poverty may end at 6.5% in 2012, based on preliminary results.

He underscored that overcrowding was cut down from 15.12% to 10.0%; inadequate homes, from 9.38% to 8.69%; and homes without basic utilities, from 14.69% to 8.68%.

The official attributed the results to better life conditions and the incorporation of new dwellings in 2012.

Translated by Jhean Cabrera