A new study by the Gallup organization finds far fewer of China's residents are struggling to meet their basic needs.

The study released Tuesday found that only six percent of those in the poorest one-fifth of China's population did not have enough money to buy food in the past year. That is down from 23 percent in 2008.

Only 14 percent of the poorest Chinese said they had trouble paying for shelter, down from 28 percent.

The U.S.-based polling firm said the improvement was likely tied to China's recovery from the global economic crisis and Beijing's recently expanded poverty reduction programs.

China's poorest families, mainly concentrated in rural areas, have benefited from several new government initiatives, including subsidies to offset rising food prices and other welfare programs for rural residents.

In November, China raised its official poverty line to $1 a day, allowing many more Chinese to apply for government aid. That means 128 million Chinese now qualify as poor — 100 million more than under the previous definition.

The new poverty line is still below the World Bank's level of $1.25 a day, but the change brings China closer to international norms after three decades of rapid growth.