Single Mothers Struggling in the U.S.

Single mothers across the world are finding it much more difficult to allocate enough money to buy necessary food for their families, and the U.S. is among the countries where mothers struggle the most compared to the rest of the population.

According to an analysis of worldwide surveys by Gallup, 44 percent of single mothers across the globe said they didn’t have enough money to buy necessary food in the past 12 months. The U.S. held one of the highest percentages out of all other regions with 43 percent. Sub-Saharan Africa held the highest number, with 65 percent of single mothers reporting they were short of money for food in the past 12 months. Western Europe was the lowest with 18 percent.

The U.S. had the highest gap in responses between single mothers and all other citizens, with a difference of 26 percentage points less for all other citizens responding they didn’t have enough money for needed food in the past 12 months.

The analysis highlights how many single mothers in the U.S. live in low-income communities, limiting their access to many opportunities. Gallup points to a Brookings Institute study that shows public investments in low-income communities for child and health care would go a long way in improving financial situations for single mothers.