Chile is celebrating a tremendous milestone in its fight against poverty, with new survey results revealing that approximately 600,000 people have risen out of poverty since 2022. The announcement has brought welcome news to a nation committed to improving the lives of its most vulnerable citizens.

President Gabriel Boric shared the encouraging findings from the 2024 National Socioeconomic Characterization Survey, known as Casen, emphasizing that poverty has decreased "in all its dimensions" across the country. The comprehensive survey paints a picture of meaningful progress, with income poverty dropping to 17.3% in 2024, extreme poverty reaching 6.9%, multidimensional poverty at 17.7%, and severe poverty declining to 6.1%.

What makes these results particularly noteworthy is the rigorous methodology behind them. The survey incorporated recommendations from an independent panel of experts who spent considerable time developing more accurate measurement standards. The updated approach now includes modern considerations like connectivity and caregiving, alongside a revised basic goods basket that reduces ultra-processed foods by 50% in favor of healthier options.

Speaking from the Valparaíso Region, President Boric attributed the positive outcomes to policies that placed families at the center of decision making. He highlighted how protective measures during economically challenging times have allowed the nation to move forward together. The results represent not just numbers on a page, but real families finding stability, children gaining opportunities, and communities growing stronger.

The data reveals a continuing downward trend in poverty rates. Income poverty showed a decrease of 3.2 percentage points, affecting over 3.4 million people. When compared to previous years using earlier methodology, the progress becomes even more striking, showing improvement from 22.5% in 2017 and a significant drop from the 28.3% recorded in 2020.

The Bright Side: Beyond the impressive statistics, this achievement demonstrates what sustained commitment to social welfare can accomplish. The Chilean government's approach of measuring accurately, acting seriously, and addressing problems with data and dedication has created a framework that transcends political administrations. President Boric emphasized that reducing poverty must remain a State policy regardless of which government holds power, ensuring continuity for future progress.

Minister of Social Development and Family Javiera Toro presented the detailed findings, showcasing how thoughtful policy implementation can create lasting change. The inclusion of new parameters like connectivity in poverty measurements reflects a modern understanding of what families need to thrive in today's world.

While celebrating these gains, President Boric remained grounded in reality, acknowledging that many Chilean families still face daily struggles to make ends meet. His balanced perspective honors both the progress made and the work that remains, maintaining focus on the ultimate goal of ensuring every family can live with dignity and security.

This success story offers hope and a roadmap for nations worldwide working to lift their citizens out of poverty. Chile's experience shows that with proper measurement, dedicated action, and policies that truly center on people's needs, meaningful change is absolutely possible.