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How many Americans live ‘paycheck to paycheck’?

We investigate a number that has been making headlines in the US.

Are most Americans barely holding their head above water when it comes to personal finances?

That’s what various US politicians and news outlets keep suggesting.

They can’t stop using a statistic about people living “paycheck to paycheck”.

But what does this really mean?

We go behind the headlines to unpick the numbers.

Contributor:
Ben Krauss, journalist

Presenter: Charlotte McDonald
Producer: Vicky Baker and Lizzy McNeill
Series Producer: Tom Colls
Production co-ordinator: Katie Morrison
Sound Engineer: Andrew Mills
Editor: Richard Vadon

Available now

9 minutes

Last on

Mon 16 Dec 202400:50GMT
BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa

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Broadcasts

  • Sat 14 Dec 202405:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, Europe and the Middle East & West and Central Africa & Live News
  • Sat 14 Dec 202411:50GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & Europe and the Middle East only
  • Sat 14 Dec 202416:50GMT
    BBC World Service News Internet & Live News
  • Sun 15 Dec 202409:50GMT
    BBC World Service West and Central Africa
  • Sun 15 Dec 202411:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, Europe and the Middle East & West and Central Africa & Live News
  • Sun 15 Dec 202422:50GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only
  • Mon 16 Dec 202400:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa

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