Which community member is most likely to live at or below the poverty line?

An 83-year-old single woman is the most likely to live at or below the poverty line due to several socio-economic factors that disproportionately affect older women. Women generally have lower lifetime earnings compared to men, often due to wage disparities, caregiving responsibilities that lead to time out of the workforce, and longer life expectancies, which can leave them with limited financial resources in old age.

Single elderly women often rely on fixed incomes such as Social Security, which may not be sufficient to cover living costs, especially if they have limited savings or pensions. The risk of social isolation also increases with age, which can affect their ability to access social services or support systems that might help alleviate financial strains.

In contrast, a married couple aged over 75 may have combined resources and social support to buffer against poverty. Similarly, a 60-year-old man with no children might have employment potential and the ability to plan for his financial future, while a retired professional over 70 is more likely to have accumulated savings and benefits throughout their career, increasing their financial stability.