Chilean President José Antonio Kast has publicly questioned the validity of the 2024 CASEN survey results, the country’s primary measure of poverty. His criticism centers on the way the survey accounts for state subsidies, arguing they artificially lower reported poverty rates. A recent methodological shift in the CASEN survey, implemented a few years ago, now includes these subsidies in calculating household income. This change significantly impacts poverty figures, as transfers from the state represent a considerable portion of income for many families. Critics argue this inclusion doesn’t reflect actual living standards. The debate highlights ongoing discussion about how best to accurately measure poverty and the role of government assistance programs in addressing it. Understanding these changes and the influence of subsidies is crucial for interpreting the current poverty data.