Poverty rates are almost by definition useless metrics to compare by here, because they are computed from the gross income distribution. Poverty aid programmes

Poverty rates are almost by definition useless metrics to compare by here, because they are computed from the gross income distribution. Poverty aid programmes are almost all focused on reducing the cost of living for poor people, which has literally zero effect on poverty rates. Subsidized housing/childcare/healthcare, food stamps, progressive taxation, you name it, they all leave gross income unaffected yet give a large increase in quality of life and discretionary income.