Education vs. Poverty By State

In this analysis we observe demographic data in the U.S. and Puerto Rico from the year 2014. The trend reveals that a strong relationship exists between the percent of the population below the poverty level and the percent that lacks a secondary education. Overall, the data displays an upward slope illustrating a positive relationship between the two factors. Both factors appear to rise or fall together in the same direction, with some variation, more or less.

If the change in one variable is accompanied by a change in the other, then the variables are said to be correlated. We can therefore say that the lack of education and poverty are correlated. The positive correlation is confirmed by the coefficient of correlation (r) which has a value of +0.83 for the two variables, also indicating that the strength of the correlaton is strong. The results suggest that a less educated workforce implies less knowledge and skill, thus leading to less income. Low income can result in poverty.