American poverty figure edges up to 46.5 million

The number of Americans in poverty rose slightly last year to 46.5 million, according to US Census data, despite a stock market recovery.

That edged up from 46.2 million Americans in 2011, meaning the national poverty rate remains unchanged at 15%.

It is the sixth year in a row that the rate failed to improve, despite the US being out of a recession since 2011.

The poverty threshold in 2012 was earning below $23,492 (£14,700) for a family of four.

Analysts point to changing employment patterns and tightening of the US safety net.