# Americans are split on the main cause of poverty

Canonical page: https://data.verasight.io/money/americans-are-split-on-the-main-cause-of-poverty/

> Indexed question in Money & Finance.

## Reading

Americans give no single cause of poverty a clear edge, with laziness ranking first at 28%, according to a May 2023 Verasight survey.

One-quarter (25%) instead point to a lack of upward mobility rooted in childhood, while 24% name the breakup of the family unit and 22% blame systemic racism.

## Topline

What is the main reason for poverty?

Americans are split on the main cause of poverty.

- Laziness: 28.5%
- Lack of upward mobility due to childhood issues: 25.4%
- Break up of the family unit: 23.6%
- Systemic Racism: 22.5%

## Methodology

- Mode: Verasight panel recruited via random address-based sampling, random person-to-person text messaging, and dynamic online targeting
- Population: United States adults
- Field dates: 2023-05-16 → 2023-05-17
- Base (unweighted): 1,000
- Margin of error: +/- 3.3%
- Module: AAPOR 2023 Omnibus Survey #2023-036
- Sponsor: Verasight
- Weight variable: weight
- Weighting targets: age, race/ethnicity, sex, income, education, region, metropolitan status

## Source

- Canonical question URL: [https://verasight-aapor-2023.tiiny.co#poverty-main-reason](https://verasight-aapor-2023.tiiny.co#poverty-main-reason)

## Citation

AAPOR 2023 Omnibus Survey #2023-036, fielded May 16-17, 2023, N=1,000 United States adults, +/- 3.3%.

Canonical question URL: [https://verasight-aapor-2023.tiiny.co#poverty-main-reason](https://verasight-aapor-2023.tiiny.co#poverty-main-reason)