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Argentina’s Basic Basket Jumps 4.1% in December, Lifting Poverty Line to $1.31 Million

Food‑price spikes drove a late‑year jump that lifted poverty cutoffs.

Overview

  • INDEC reported both the food (CBA) and total (CBT) basic baskets rose 4.1% in December 2025, outpacing the 2.8% CPI, with annual increases of 31.2% and 27.7% respectively.
  • A family of four needed $1,308,713 to avoid poverty and $589,510 to avoid indigence in December; per‑adult reference values were $423,532 (CBT) and $190,780 (CBA).
  • Local thresholds varied: CABA set the poverty line at $1,346,876, Bahía Blanca at $1,498,874, and Mendoza at $1,180,842.79 for a family type in December.
  • Statistical reports identified meals outside the home, beef cuts, and milk as leading drivers of basket increases, with non‑food services such as transport, personal care, and education also contributing.
  • Mexico’s INEGI showed a similar pattern, with the urban basic basket at 4,818.14 pesos per person in December and its cost rising faster than overall inflation.