Table 3. Definitions of ‘In-Work Poverty’ and ‘Low-Income’ in each included study

Author(s) Terms Work definition Poverty threshold Target population Study region
Brady et al. (2010) Working poverty At least one household member is employed (30 h/wk). Less than 50% of the median disposable household income. In-work poverty World (18 countries)
Brady et al. (2013) Working poverty At least one employed member: Employment defined full-time work and included part-time workers with the non-employed. Less than 50% of the national median household income. In-work poverty USA
Cheng (2010) Working poor No work definition. In-work category indicated former recipients who reported personal earnings no TANF payment, and poverty status (defined as the federal poverty threshold, in light of family earnings and total size, and the number of dependent children). In-work poverty USA
Cheung et al. (2019) Working poor Have been working at least 6 mon in the prior year. Half (50%) of the median household income. In-work poverty Hong Kong
Figari (2010) Poverty 16 h/wk (at one person in the family with children) or 30 h/wk with no children. Below 40% and 60% of median equivalent income. In-work poverty Europe (Greece, Italy, Portugal, and Spain)
Hardy et al. (2018) Low-income families No work definition. Having family income-to-need below 200% of the federal poverty line in each of the two years. Low-income USA
Hick & Lanau (2019) In-work poverty At least one working-age adult in the household has spent at least one hour in paid employment in the week preceding the survey (i.e., International Labour Organization (ILO) definition of employment. A relative income threshold set at 60% of median equivalized income, after housing costs. In-work poverty UK
Horemans et al. (2016) In-work poverty Part-time job: Working less than 30 h. Below 60% of the national median disposable income. In-work poverty Europe (EU 25 countries)
Jara Tamayo & Popova (2021) In-work poverty At least 7 mon/year. 60% of the national median equivalized disposable income. In-work poverty Europe (EU 27 countries and UK)
Kang (2020) Low-income families No work definition. Household income is under 150% of the federal poverty level. Low-income USA
Marx et al. (2012) In-work poverty In work for at least one month during the reference year. A total disposable household income below commonly used 60% of media equivalent income threshold. In-work poverty Europe (Belgium)
Neumark et al. (2012) Low-wage worker & family No work definition. Below the federal government’s threshold for poverty. Low-income USA
Poy (2023) In-work poverty At least 1 h during the week before the survey carried out. The households’ equivalized income with a certain threshold (poverty line). In-work poverty Argentina
Wagle (2011) Working poverty Working 35 h or greater per week for at least 50 wk. Adjusted 200% of official poverty line (USA). In-work poverty USA
TANF, temporary assistance for needy family; UK, United Kingdom.