Manila Times
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Monday, Jun 09, 2025
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Self-Rated Poverty Declines Among Filipino Families, Survey Reveals
A recent Social Weather Stations survey indicates a record high in the number of Filipinos perceiving their families as 'not poor', despite half still considering themselves poor.
A survey conducted by the Social Weather Stations (SWS) from April 23 to 28 reveals a significant shift in the self-perception of poverty among Filipino families.
The survey indicates that 50 percent of respondents rated their families as 'poor', a decline from 55 percent reported in an earlier survey conducted from April 11 to 15. This reduction translates to approximately 14.1 million families identifying themselves as poor, down from 15.5 million in the previous poll.
Despite this decrease, the latest figure aligns with the 50 percent reported in a similar survey conducted in January.
Moreover, the present statistics show an improvement from the average of 57 percent recorded for 2024, yet they remain above the averages of 48 percent in both 2022 and 2023.
The survey results also highlighted an increase in the percentage of individuals rating their families as 'not poor', which rose to 42 percent from 32 percent in the earlier survey; this is noted as the highest percentage ever recorded in this category.
Additionally, the proportion of respondents identifying their families as being on the 'borderline' of poverty decreased to 8 percent, also representing a record low, down from 12 percent in the previous survey.
It is noteworthy that while the percentage of those considering themselves poor has fluctuated between 45 percent and a high of 63 percent in December 2024, there has been a notable decline in the number of individuals categorizing themselves as 'borderline' poor under the current administration.
The borderline poor designation saw a decrease from 30 percent in March 2024 to 12 percent in June of the same year.
Geographically, self-rated poverty remains highest in the Visayas region at 67 percent, unchanged from prior measures.
Mindanao follows with 61 percent, down from 70 percent in the previous survey.
Balance Luzon reported 43 percent, slightly decreasing from 44 percent, while Metro Manila recorded the lowest self-rating of poverty at 33 percent, significantly reduced from 45 percent.
In terms of those identifying as 'not poor', Metro Manila saw a notable surge to 60 percent from 45 percent.
The rest of Luzon reported 51 percent, up from 44 percent.
Mindanao and Visayas recorded 29 percent and 24 percent respectively, increasing from 16 percent and 21 percent in the earlier survey.
The survey indicates that 50 percent of respondents rated their families as 'poor', a decline from 55 percent reported in an earlier survey conducted from April 11 to 15. This reduction translates to approximately 14.1 million families identifying themselves as poor, down from 15.5 million in the previous poll.
Despite this decrease, the latest figure aligns with the 50 percent reported in a similar survey conducted in January.
Moreover, the present statistics show an improvement from the average of 57 percent recorded for 2024, yet they remain above the averages of 48 percent in both 2022 and 2023.
The survey results also highlighted an increase in the percentage of individuals rating their families as 'not poor', which rose to 42 percent from 32 percent in the earlier survey; this is noted as the highest percentage ever recorded in this category.
Additionally, the proportion of respondents identifying their families as being on the 'borderline' of poverty decreased to 8 percent, also representing a record low, down from 12 percent in the previous survey.
It is noteworthy that while the percentage of those considering themselves poor has fluctuated between 45 percent and a high of 63 percent in December 2024, there has been a notable decline in the number of individuals categorizing themselves as 'borderline' poor under the current administration.
The borderline poor designation saw a decrease from 30 percent in March 2024 to 12 percent in June of the same year.
Geographically, self-rated poverty remains highest in the Visayas region at 67 percent, unchanged from prior measures.
Mindanao follows with 61 percent, down from 70 percent in the previous survey.
Balance Luzon reported 43 percent, slightly decreasing from 44 percent, while Metro Manila recorded the lowest self-rating of poverty at 33 percent, significantly reduced from 45 percent.
In terms of those identifying as 'not poor', Metro Manila saw a notable surge to 60 percent from 45 percent.
The rest of Luzon reported 51 percent, up from 44 percent.
Mindanao and Visayas recorded 29 percent and 24 percent respectively, increasing from 16 percent and 21 percent in the earlier survey.
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