Maine's poverty rate continues to remain below the national average, but researchers expect the number of people living in poverty will continue to grow, according to a report released by the University of Maine's Margaret Chase Smith Policy Center and the Maine Community Action Association.

The Poverty in Maine Update found that the state's two-year average poverty rate for 2006-2007 was 12.5%, unchanged from the average for 2005-2006. The national rate dropped slightly from 13.3% to 13.2% during the same time period. Maine's poverty rate has grown steadily from 10.1% in 2000-2001, and is expected to rise during 2008-2009 due to the global economic recession, according to the report. Read the entire report here.