Another 1.3 million people fell below the poverty line in Argentina in the second half of 2007, research by the country's official statistics agency revealed Wednesday.

According to Argentina's National Statistics and Census Institute, 11.8 million Argentines live below the poverty line, representing 30 percent of the total population.

The official poverty rate for the first half of 2007 was 23.4 percent, down from a peak of 57 percent in October 2002.

Argentina's official poverty line for a four-member family was calculated at 308 U.S. dollars per month, the minimum needed to cover food, consumer staples, key services and transport.

(Xinhua News Agency April 24, 2008)