Why are poverty rates so high in developed countries?

Answer 1

Developed countries set the poverty level relative to the to the income in the country, some even use 1/2 the median income, so most people in poverty are not poor by world standards, Poverty is measured before government benefits, because it is used to determine who qualifies for help, so actual expenditures of those under the poverty level is much greater than their income. No matter how prosperous the country their will be people who have a low income due to illiness, unemployment, old age, or just lack of effort.