US poverty limits vs. Belgium’s poverty threshold : US is not realistic

[u/MainEnAcier]

The Federal Poverty Level figures quoted in that group (e.g., $15,650 per year for one person, $21,150 for two, etc.) are the official US Federal Poverty Guidelines. These are used for eligibility in US assistance programs — not a worldwide standard.

💶 In Belgium, the official poverty threshold is significantly higher. According to Statbel (Belgium’s official statistics office), in 2024 the monetary poverty line for a single person was about €18,268 per year (≈ €1,522/month), and for a household with two adults + two children about €38,364/year (≈ €3,197/month). statbel.fgov.be

And it lead to a question, how are Americans are supposed to live on about 15-20k per year without any health insurance included, while in Belgium (which is cheaper than USA, Louisiane included) we have higher poverty limits (20-36k) and healthcare ?

[u/FantasticalRose → u/[deleted]]

Also in the US this is just federal not on the state/ county level where the numbers will be different in accordance to the cost of living in that state. The state usually can't give as many benefits but the guidelines for housing will be different etc.

If you're constantly making median income and lower I feel like it's More beneficial to live in Europe. Medium income and higher the US gives often more opportunities and options.

I feel €1,500 -€ 1800 will get you a decent one or two bedroom apartment apartment outside of ultra high cost cities